GE completes latest adaptive cycle engine tests, successfully concludes Adaptive Engine Transition Program efforts

Rhea-AI Summary

GE has successfully completed testing on its second XA100 adaptive cycle engine in partnership with the U.S. Air Force at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex. This marks the final major milestone of the Air Force's Adaptive Engine Transition Program, initiated in 2016. The XA100 engine delivers significant improvements, including over 10% more thrust, 25% better fuel efficiency, and enhanced thermal management. GE is poised to transition to an Engineering and Manufacturing Development program, aiming to equip the F-35 with this advanced engine by the decade's end.

Positive

• Completion of testing for the XA100 engine, achieving a major milestone in the Adaptive Engine Transition Program.
• Engine offers over 10% thrust improvement and 25% better fuel efficiency, enhancing combat capabilities.
• GE is ready to move to the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase, indicating future revenue potential.

Negative

• None.

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

FAQ

What is the significance of GE's XA100 engine testing completion?

The completion of XA100 engine testing represents a key milestone in the U.S. Air Force's Adaptive Engine Transition Program, which began in 2016, indicating readiness for the next development phase.

What improvements does the XA100 engine provide for the F-35?

The XA100 engine offers more than 10% increased thrust, over 25% better fuel efficiency, and advanced thermal management capabilities, enhancing the F-35's combat effectiveness.

When is the XA100 engine expected to be implemented in the F-35?

GE aims to bring the XA100 engine to the F-35 by the end of this decade, following the successful completion of testing.

What are the environmental benefits of the XA100 engine?

The XA100 engine's improved fuel efficiency leads to a significant reduction in carbon emissions and can operate on U.S. Air Force-approved Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

How does the XA100 engine compare to previous engines in terms of performance?

The XA100 engine represents a generational change, offering better fuel efficiency, thrust, and the ability to support future mission systems compared to existing engines.