GE starts testing second XA100 adaptive cycle engine
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/ueditor/php/upload/image/20210910/1631248810584844.png" title="1631248810584844.png" alt="6.png"/></p><p>GE has initiated testing on its second XA100 adaptive cycle engine as part of the U.S. Air Force¡¯s Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP). Testing began on August 26, 2021, at GE¡¯s Evendale, Ohio, altitude test facility. This is GE¡¯s final planned prototype engine as part of AETP.</p><p><br/></p><p>Full-scale prototype engine testing in the AETP program is the capstone of a multi-year technology maturation and risk reduction effort to bring an adaptive cycle engine to full maturity in close partnership with the U.S. Air Force. GE¡¯s first XA100 engine tests began in December 2020, marking the world¡¯s first ever run of a flight-weight three-stream adaptive cycle engine. Tests successfully validated the engine¡¯s ability to deliver transformational propulsion capability to current and future fighter aircraft. Engine prototypes assembled as part of AETP are designed to fit and integrate directly into the F-35.</p><p><br/></p><p>The XA100-GE-100 engine combines three key innovations to deliver a generational change in combat propulsion performance:</p><p>? 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</p><p>? A third-stream architecture that provides a step-change in thermal management capability, enabling future mission systems for increased combat effectiveness</p><p>? Extensive use of advanced component technologies, including ceramic matrix composites (CMC), polymer matrix composites (PMC), and additive manufacturing</p><p><br/></p><p>These revolutionary innovations increase thrust 10%, improve fuel efficiency by 25%, and provide significantly more aircraft heat dissipation capacity, all within the same physical envelope as current propulsion systems. The XA100¡¯s improved fuel efficiency provides significant reduction in carbon emissions. The engine will also operate on any U.S. Air Force-approved biofuels.</p><p><br/></p><p>¡°The U.S. Air Force and Congress have invested more than $4 billion in adaptive cycle engine development over the past 14 years to mature its associated technologies. We¡¯re confident this phase of the program will significantly reduce risk and prepare GE for a low-risk engineering and manufacturing development program, consistent with Air Force objectives,¡± said David Tweedie, GE Edison Works¡¯ General Manager for Advanced Combat Engines. ¡°Getting our second prototype engine into the test cell means we¡¯re one step closer to getting this transformational technology into the hands of the warfighter.¡±</p><p><br/></p><p>Testing on the second XA100 will allow GE to continue gathering high-quality test data and further mature the engine¡¯s advanced componentry and revolutionary three-stream design. Once first phase testing is complete in Evendale, GE plans to test the engine at the U.S. Air Force¡¯s Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) to finish out all planned AETP testing activities.</p><p><br/></p><p>¡°The Air Force has put a tremendous amount of rigor into the AETP product requirements. We believe we¡¯re delivering on those requirements, and a big reason for that is our close collaboration with the Air Force. Our partnership there has been a critical factor in our success,¡± Tweedie added.</p><p><br/></p><p>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.</p><p><br/></p>
10 Sep,2021
