A key Air Force study suggests the service continue development of a pair of advanced propulsion initiatives.
The Air Force, in its June 21 study titled Global Horizons on the service’s global science and technology vision, the Air Force’s chief scientist office says the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) should continue development of Adaptive Versatile Engine Technology (ADVENT), which has a goal of reducing fuel burn by matching engine airflow to a specific flight envelope. The study also suggests continuing Highly Efficient Embedded Turbine Engine (HEETE) development, which aims to increase engine pressure ratios and complementary thermal management and adaptive cycle improvements to achieve 25 to 35 percent fuel burn reductions.
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| Rolls-Royce, which develops the T56 engine (above), received both ADVENT and HEETE contracts. Photo: Rolls-Royce. |
The study also says the Air Force should continue to pursue aerodynamic improvements for future aircraft such as laminar flow optimization, blended wing and lifting body construction to deliver 15 to 25 percent energy efficiency improvement.
Rolls-Royce has received Air Force contracts for both HEETE and ADVENT. Rolls-Royce’s HEETE compressor this month successfully demonstrated its ultra-high pressure ratio performance goal and an ability to manage component temperatures at ultra-high ratio design conditions through advanced thermal management, according to a company statement. Rolls-Royce spokesman George McLaren said yesterday the company’s HEETE contract was worth $25 million.
Rolls-Royce in October 2009 was authorized by the Air Force to proceed with ADVENT Phase II development, according to a company statement. The authorization came after the company successfully completed a series of tests and analysis on a technology demonstrator core, which is supposed to be available in the future for United States military aerospace platforms, including medium or large unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). McLaren said Rolls-Royce’s ADVENT contract was worth $296 million. General Electric [GE] also received a $231 million ADVENT contract in 2007 (Defense Daily; Aug. 29, 2007).
Tom Hartmann, Rolls-Royce senior vice president of customer business for U.S. government programs, said yesterday in a statement the company has demonstrated success in both of its ADVENT and HEETE testing and that Rolls-Royce looks forward to continuing to work with the Air Force to reach these goals.