General Electric J97

J97
Boeing YQM-94 B-Gull, with the J97 on top of the fuselage
Type	Turbojet
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	General Electric
First run	1960s
Major applications	Boeing YQM-94 B-Gull Ryan AQM-91 Firefly
Developed from	General Electric GE1

The General Electric J97 is a single-shaft turbojet engine designed and built by General Electric as a compact high-performance engine for light attack fighters and eventually a number of drone projects.

Development and design

The J97 was based on GE's General Electric GE1/J1 series of turbojets and the engine development was financed by the United States Air Force. ^[1] The original application was to be the Northrop P-530 (which later evolved into the YF-17), but it was ultimately only used in several small drone aircraft. ^[2]

Variants

J97-GE-100

• Standard Variant

J97-GE-17

• Variant of the engine with 11,760 lbf (52,300 N) of thrust proposed for use in the Super Dynamics O4-1B Robin supersonic business jet. ^[3]

Applications

Ryan AQM-91 Firefly

• Boeing YQM-94 B-Gull (Compass Cope B)
• Ryan AQM-91 Firefly

Specifications (J97-GE-100)

Data from ^[4]

General characteristics

• Type: Turbojet engine
• Length: 109.5in (2.78m)
• Diameter: 24.4in (0.62m)
• Dry weight: 694lb (315kg)

Components

• Compressor: 14-stage
• Combustors: annular
• Turbine: two-stage

Performance

• Maximum thrust: Take-off 5,270lb (23.4kN) dry, 8,000lbf (35kN) afterburner
• Thrust-to-weight ratio: 11.5

See also

Related lists

• List of aircraft engines

References

1. "Turbine Engines of the World". Flight International . 4 January 1973. p. 34.
2. "J97". Aero Engines of the World 1970. Flight International . 1 January 1970. p. 18.
3. "For the executive in a hurry". Flight International . 5 June 1976. p. 1488.
4. "J97". International Turbine Engine Directory. Flight International . 7 January 1978. p. 44.