Future Affordable Turbine Engine

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Future Affordable Turbine Engine
Future Affordable Turbine Engine.jpg
Type turboshaft/turboprop
Manufacturer GE Aviation
Major applications US Army Future Vertical Lift

The Future Affordable Turbine Engine (FATE) is a US Army program for a 5,000-10,000-shp class turboshaft/turboprop for Future Vertical Lift aircraft and its Joint Multi Role precursor. [1]

Turboshaft turbine engine optimized to produce shaft power

A turboshaft engine is a form of gas turbine that is optimized to produce shaft power rather than jet thrust.

Turboprop turbine engine which powers an aircraft propeller using a reduction gear

A turboprop engine is a turbine engine that drives an aircraft propeller.

Future Vertical Lift (FVL) is a plan to develop a family of military helicopters for the United States Armed Forces. Five different sizes of aircraft are to be developed, sharing common hardware such as sensors, avionics, engines, and countermeasures. The U.S. Army has been considering the program since 2004. FVL is meant to develop replacements for the Army's UH-60 Black Hawk, AH-64 Apache, CH-47 Chinook, and OH-58 Kiowa helicopters. The precursor for FVL is the Joint Multi-Role (JMR) helicopter program.

Contents

Design

To extend range and endurance and to increase hot-and-high payload and performance, it should reduce BSFC by 35%, reduce production/maintenance costs by 45%, improve power-to-weight by 80% and design life by 20% to more than 6,000 hours. [1]

The maximal total range is the maximum distance an aircraft can fly between takeoff and landing, as limited by fuel capacity in powered aircraft, or cross-country speed and environmental conditions in unpowered aircraft. The range can be seen as the cross-country ground speed multiplied by the maximum time in the air. The fuel time limit for powered aircraft is fixed by the fuel load and rate of consumption. When all fuel is consumed, the engines stop and the aircraft will lose its propulsion.

In aviation, endurance is the maximum length of time that an aircraft can spend in cruising flight. Endurance is different from range, which is a measure of distance flown. For example, a typical sailplane exhibits high endurance characteristics but poor range characteristics.

Development

In November 2011, GE was selected for $45 million over five years, to develop technologies including advanced aerodynamics, cooling configurations and improved materials; and rig tests to validate innovative components, leading up to a full system demonstration. [1]

In 2017, following the successful tests of the engine’s compressor with the highest single-spool pressure ratio recorded, combustor with GE's most extensive use of CMCs allowing unprecedented high-temperature capability and weight reduction, and turbine rig tests, the first assembled engine completed testing after running 40 hours, reaching the program goals, beofre a second prototype began testing in 2018. [2]

Compressor Mechanical device that increases the pressure of a gas by reducing its volume

A compressor is a mechanical device that increases the pressure of a gas by reducing its volume. An air compressor is a specific type of gas compressor.

In aeronautical engineering, overall pressure ratio, or overall compression ratio, is the ratio of the stagnation pressure as measured at the front and rear of the compressor of a gas turbine engine. The terms compression ratio and pressure ratio are used interchangeably. Overall compression ratio also means the overall cycle pressure ratio which includes intake ram.

Combustor

A combustor is a component or area of a gas turbine, ramjet, or scramjet engine where combustion takes place. It is also known as a burner, combustion chamber or flame holder. In a gas turbine engine, the combustor or combustion chamber is fed high pressure air by the compression system. The combustor then heats this air at constant pressure. After heating, air passes from the combustor through the nozzle guide vanes to the turbine. In the case of a ramjet or scramjet engines, the air is directly fed to the nozzle.

See also

Adaptive Versatile Engine Technology

The ADaptive Versatile ENgine Technology program is an aircraft engine development program run by the United States Air Force with the goal of developing an efficient variable cycle engine for next generation military aircraft in the 20,000 lbf (89 kN) thrust class.

Improved Turbine Engine Program

The Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP), formerly the Advanced Affordable Turbine Engine (AATE) program, is a United States Army project to develop a General Electric T700 replacement for the UH-60 Black Hawk and AH-64 Apache, improving fuel consumption, power, durability and cost. Honeywell and Pratt & Whitney formed the ATEC joint venture to develop the T900, while GE Aviation builds the T901. The US Army selected the GE T901 as the winner of the program in February 2019.

Comparable engines

Lycoming T55 family of turboprop aircraft engines

The Lycoming T55 is a turboshaft engine used on American helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft since the 1950s. It was designed at the Lycoming Turbine Engine Division in Stratford, Connecticut as a scaled-up version of the smaller Lycoming T53. Both engines are now produced by Honeywell Aerospace. The T55 also serves as the core of the Lycoming ALF 502 turbofan. Since the T55 was first developed, progressive increases in airflow, overall pressure ratio, and turbine inlet temperature have more than tripled the power output of the engine.

Boeing CH-47 Chinook twin-engined, tandem rotor, heavy-lift helicopter

The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is an American twin-engined, tandem rotor, heavy-lift helicopter developed by American rotorcraft company Vertol and manufactured by Boeing Vertol. The CH-47 is among the heaviest lifting Western helicopters. Its name, Chinook, is from the Native American Chinook people of modern-day Washington state.

Rolls-Royce T406

The Rolls-Royce T406 is a turboshaft engine that powers the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor. The Osprey is in service with the United States Marine Corps and United States Air Force. The engine delivers 6,000 shp (4,470 kW).

Related Research Articles

Rolls-Royce Trent Family of turbofan aircraft engines

Rolls-Royce Trent is a British family of three spool, high bypass turbofan aircraft engines manufactured by Rolls-Royce plc. All are developments of the RB211 with thrust ratings of 53,000 to 97,000 pounds-force. Versions of the Trent are in service on the Airbus A330, A340, A350, A380, Boeing 777, and 787. The Trent has also been adapted for marine and industrial applications.

CFM International CFM56 turbofan aircraft engine

The CFM International CFM56 series is a French-American family of high-bypass turbofan aircraft engines made by CFM International (CFMI), with a thrust range of 18,500 to 34,000 pounds-force. CFMI is a 50–50 joint-owned company of Safran Aircraft Engines of France, and GE Aviation (GE) of the United States. Both companies are responsible for producing components and each has its own final assembly line. GE produces the high-pressure compressor, combustor, and high-pressure turbine, Safran manufactures the fan, gearbox, exhaust and the low-pressure turbine, and some components are made by Avio of Italy. The engines are assembled by GE in Evendale, Ohio, and by Safran in Villaroche, France. The completed engines are marketed by CFMI. Despite initial export restrictions, it is one of the most common turbofan aircraft engines in the world, in four major variants.

Rolls-Royce BR700

The Rolls-Royce BR700 family of turbofan engines powers regional jets and corporate jets. It was developed by BMW and Rolls-Royce plc through the joint venture BMW Rolls-Royce AeroEngines GmbH, established in 1990. The BR710 first ran in 1995. It is manufactured in Dahlewitz, Germany. Rolls-Royce took full control of the company in 2000, which is now known as Rolls-Royce Deutschland. The military designation of the series is F130.

GE Aviation, a subsidiary of General Electric, is headquartered in Evendale, Ohio, outside Cincinnati. GE Aviation is among the top aircraft engine suppliers, and offers engines for the majority of commercial aircraft. GE Aviation is part of the General Electric conglomerate, which is one of the world's largest corporations. The division operated under the name of General Electric Aircraft Engines (GEAE) until September 2005. GE Aviation's main competitors in the engine market are Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney. GE operates two joint ventures with Safran Aircraft Engines of France, CFM International and CFM Materials.

General Electric GEnx turbofan jet engine

The General Electric GEnx is an advanced dual rotor, axial flow, high-bypass turbofan jet engine in production by GE Aviation for the Boeing 787 and 747-8. The GEnx is intended to replace the CF6 in GE's product line.

Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 A British turbofan engine, developed from earlier Trent series engines

The Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 is a British turbofan engine, developed from earlier Trent series engines. The Trent 1000 powered the Boeing 787 Dreamliner on its maiden flight, and on its first commercial flight.

General Electric F414

The General Electric F414 is an afterburning turbofan engine in the 22,000-pound thrust class produced by GE Aviation. The F414 originated from GE's widely used F404 turbofan from the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, enlarged and improved for use in the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. The engine was developed from the F412 non-afterburning turbofan planned for the A-12 Avenger II, before it was canceled.

The General Electric GE38 is a gas turbine developed by GE Aviation for turboprop and turboshaft applications. It is to power the Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion as the T408.

General Electric T700 turboshaft helicopter engine family

The General Electric T700 and CT7 are a family of turboshaft and turboprop engines in the 1,500–3,000 shp (1,100–2,200 kW) class.

CFM International LEAP turbofan

The CFM International LEAP is a high-bypass turbofan engine. It is produced by CFM International, a 50-50 Franco-American joint venture company between GE Aviation of the United States and Safran Aircraft Engines of France. It is a modernized complement to the successful CFM56, intended to compete with the Pratt & Whitney PW1000G in the single-aisle jetliner market. CFM intends to replace the CFM56 with the LEAP.

General Electric Passport

The General Electric Passport is a turbofan developed by GE Aviation for large business jets. It was selected in 2010 to power the Bombardier Global 7000/8000, first ran on June 24, 2013 and first flew in 2015. It was certified in April 2016 and powered the Global 7000 first flight on November 4, 2016, before its 2018 introduction. It produces 14,000 to 20,000 lbf of thrust, a range previously covered by the General Electric CF34. A smaller scaled CFM LEAP, it is a twin-spool axial engine with a 5.6:1 bypass ratio and a 45:1 overall pressure ratio and is noted for its large one-piece 52 in (130 cm) fan 18-blade titanium blisk.

Bell V-280 Valor Tiltrotor aircraft being developed for the United States Armys Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program

The Bell V-280 Valor is a tiltrotor aircraft being developed by Bell and Lockheed Martin for the United States Army's Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program. The aircraft was officially unveiled at the 2013 Army Aviation Association of America's (AAAA) Annual Professional Forum and Exposition in Fort Worth, Texas. The V-280 made its first flight on 18 December 2017 in Amarillo, Texas.

General Electric GE9X

The General Electric GE9X is a high-bypass turbofan under development by General Electric Aviation for the Boeing 777X. It first ran on ground in April 2016 and first flew on March 13, 2018; it is to power the 777-9's maiden flight in 2019 and enter service in 2020. Derived from the General Electric GE90 with a larger fan, advanced materials like CMCs, higher bypass ratio and compression ratios, it should improve fuel efficiency by 10% over its predecessor. The engine has a thrust of 105,000 lbf (470 kN).

General Electric Catalyst

The General Electric Catalyst is a turboprop engine under development by GE Aviation. It was announced on 16 November 2015 and will power the Cessna Denali, it first ran on December 22, 2017, and should be certified in 2020. The 850 to 1,600 hp engine aims for 20% better efficiency than its competition thanks to a 16:1 overall pressure ratio, variable stator vanes, cooled turbine blades, 3D printed parts and FADEC.

Sikorsky–Boeing SB-1 Defiant experimental gyrodyne

The Sikorsky–Boeing SB-1 Defiant is the Sikorsky Aircraft and Boeing entry for the United States Army's Future Vertical Lift program, succeeding the Joint Multi-Role initiative. It is a compound helicopter with rigid coaxial rotors, powered by two Honeywell T55s, and made its first flight on 21 March 2019.

General Electric T901

The General Electric T901 (GE3000) is a turboshaft engine in the 3,000 shp (2,200 kW) class currently under development for the United States Army's Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP). The ITEP plans after 2025 to re-engine over 1,300 Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk and more than 600 Boeing AH-64 Apache, and power the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "GE Selected for Future Affordable Turbine Engine Program" (Press release). GE Aviation. November 21, 2011.
  2. ↑ Robert Brooks (Oct 9, 2017). "GE Aviation, Army Complete Future Engine Tests". American Machinist.
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