TULLAHOMA, Tenn., Sept. 12,
2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Air Force and GE have
successfully concluded testing on GE's second XA100 adaptive cycle
engine at the Air Force's Arnold Engineering Development Complex
(AEDC). With testing at AEDC completed, GE has accomplished the
final major contract milestone of the Air Force's Adaptive Engine
Transition Program (AETP), which began in 2016.
The XA100 combines three key innovations to
deliver a generational change in combat propulsion
performance.
"This is the culmination of more than a decade of methodical
risk reduction and testing GE has completed with the Air Force
across three different adaptive cycle engine programs," said
David Tweedie, GE Edison Works' vice
president and general manager for Advanced Products. "The engine
performance data we gathered at AEDC continued to show the XA100's
transformational capability, while also demonstrating a return on
substantial Air Force and taxpayer investment. We now stand ready
to transition to an Engineering and Manufacturing Development
program and bring this engine to the field with the F-35 before the
end of this decade."
GE's milestones during AETP include:
- Following competition, awarded one of two AETP contracts,
June 2016
- Detailed design completed with U.S. Air Force, February 2019
- Initiation of testing on the world's first flight-weight,
three-stream adaptive cycle engine, most heavily instrumented
engine test in GE and U.S. Air Force history in Evendale, Ohio, December 2020
- Initiation of second engine testing in Evendale, Ohio, August
2021
- Beginning of first tests of an AETP engine at AEDC,
March 2022
- Completion of AETP testing and data collection at AEDC,
August 2022
"This engine isn't a concept, proposal, or research program.
This is a flight-weight, highly product-relevant engine that would
provide the F-35 with 30% more range, greater than 20% faster
acceleration, and significant mission systems growth to harness the
F-35's full capabilities for Block 4 upgrades, and beyond," Tweedie
continued. "The XA100 is the only F-35 propulsion modernization
option that has been built, fully tested, and evaluated against Air
Force performance targets, and the only option that provides the
Air Force the capability it needs to outpace its adversaries for
decades to come."
The XA100 combines three key innovations to deliver a
generational change in combat propulsion performance:
- An adaptive engine cycle that provides both a high-thrust mode
for maximum power and a high-efficiency mode for optimum fuel
savings and loiter time
- A third-stream architecture that provides a step-change in
thermal management capability, enabling future mission systems for
increased combat effectiveness
- Extensive use of advanced component technologies, including
ceramic matrix composites (CMC), polymer matrix composites (PMC),
and additive manufacturing
These revolutionary innovations increase thrust more than 10%,
improve fuel efficiency by 25%, and provide significantly more
aircraft heat dissipation capacity, all within the same physical
envelope as current propulsion systems. GE's engine is uniquely
designed to fit in the F-35A, as well as the F-35C without
modifications to the tailhook. The XA100's improved fuel efficiency
provides a significant reduction in carbon emissions and will
operate on any U.S. Air Force-approved Sustainable Aviation
Fuel.
The XA100 is a product of GE Edison Works, a business unit
dedicated to the research, development, and production of advanced
military solutions. This business unit has full responsibility for
strategy, innovation, and execution of advanced programs.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) rises to the challenge of building a world that
works. For more than 125 years, GE has invented the future of
industry, and today the company's dedicated team, leading
technology, and global reach and capabilities help the world work
more efficiently, reliably, and safely. GE's people are diverse and
dedicated, operating with the highest level of integrity and focus
to fulfill GE's mission and deliver for its customers.
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SOURCE GE Aviation