GE Aviation, Pratt & Whitney Win $1B R&D Contracts from USAF

The U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center granted $1-billion contracts to GE Aviation and Pratt & Whitney, to develop a three-stream adaptive cycle jet engine. The project, organized under the USAF’s Adaptive Engine Transition Program is schedule to run five years, through 2021, and will include testing of component parts, rig testing, and engine testing.

Robert Brooks

July 7, 2016

According to GE Aviation itrsquos adaptive cycle threestream engine is able to alternate between operating as a highbypass fuelefficient engine or as a lowbypass highperformance engine needed for fighter jets The adaptive feature is combined with an additional source of air called a quotthird stream of cooled airquot that can be used to increase thrust improve fuel efficiency and reduce the aircraft heat load — According to GE Aviation, it’s adaptive cycle, three-stream engine is able to alternate between operating as a high-bypass, fuel-efficient engine or as a low-bypass, high-performance engine needed for fighter jets. The adaptive feature is combined with an additional source of air, called a "third stream of cooled air," that can be used to increase thrust, improve fuel efficiency, and reduce the aircraft heat load.

The U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio granted a $1-billion contract to GE Aviation, (General Electric Corp. IW500/6) to proceed with the development of its three-stream adaptive cycle engine. The project, organized under the USAF’s Adaptive Engine Transition Program is schedule to run five years, through 2021, and will include testing of component parts, rig testing, and engine testing.

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Pratt & Whitney was awarded a comparable new contract, and will design, build, and test adaptive engines in the 45,000-lb thrust-class, as part of its effort to advance of military fighter engine technology.

The USAF’s Adaptive Engine Transition Program is focused on developing three-stream architecture and other advanced propulsion technologies for high-speed and long-endurance performance requirements.

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About the Author

Robert Brooks

Content Director

Robert Brooks has been a business-to-business reporter, writer, editor, and columnist for more than 20 years, specializing in the primary metal and basic manufacturing industries. His work has covered a wide range of topics, including process technology, resource development, material selection, product design, workforce development, and industrial market strategies, among others. Currently, he specializes in subjects related to metal component and product design, development, and manufacturing — including castings, forgings, machined parts, and fabrications.

Brooks is a graduate of Kenyon College (B.A. English, Political Science) and Emory University (M.A. English.)