Fighter Engine Designs Approved for Manufacturing Process
The U.S. Air Force's Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program has taken a significant stride forward after engines from General Electric Aerospace (GE) and Pratt & Whitney received clearance for the Detailed Design Review. The thumbs-up from the Air Force sets the stage for both companies to build prototype ground demonstrators, paving the way for a potential new era in fighter engine technology.
The engines, designated as the XA102 by GE and the XA103 by Pratt & Whitney, are vying to power the Air Force's Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter, a sixth-generation air superiority platform. The NGAP program's objective is to develop advanced engines specifically tailored for air dominance in the future.
The Detailed Design Review marks the fourth phase of six in the NGAP program, following initial design, preliminary design, adaptive prototyping planning, and before engine fabrication and engine assessments. Passing this crucial step demonstrates a significant step in delivering ground-breaking propulsion technology for the Air Force's future fleet.
GE is hailing the XA102 as the first in its history to be developed using a model-based systems engineering approach. Steve Russell, vice president and general manager of GE's Edison Works technology incubator unit, emphasized the instrumental role MBSE has played in the XA102 design. GE plans to continue incorporating this innovative approach while working in close collaboration with its supply chain partners to advance the engine toward a full-scale demonstration.
Pratt & Whitney similarly lauded its digital processes during the design presentation to the Air Force, stating that the collaborative digital environment allowed for immediate access to all required data. Passing the fully digital evaluation will enable the construction of the XA103 prototype ground demonstrator, which is expected to test in the late 2020s. Jill Albertelli, president of Pratt's military engines business, stated that digital processes would form the foundation of Pratt's technology maturation for future next-gen solutions.
Both engines draw from previous work, such as the Adaptive Engine Transition Program, which resulted in powerplants intended for the F-35 fighter. However, the incompatibility of the AETP engines with the F-35B and C models led to the Pentagon forgoing an all-new engine for only the Air Force F-35A variant, opting instead for the F135 Engine Core Upgrade being developed by Pratt. The remaining funds in the AETP program were shifted to NGAP in the fiscal 2025 defense budget.
The broader NGAD program has encountered uncertainties, with the Air Force temporarily halting development due to a review of the program's capabilities and potential cost. Air Force Secretary nominee Troy Meink may inherit this decision as one of his first tasks, should he be confirmed. Allocating resources for the future of adaptive engine technology, particularly in the context of pacing challenges and technological advancements, will remain a pressing concern for the Air Force and defense industry.
Additional details regarding the NGAP program and engines under development are classified, and the Air Force was unable to provide further comment at the time of publication.
- The Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program's objective is to develop advanced engines specifically tailored for air dominance in the future, with engines from General Electric Aerospace (GE) and Pratt & Whitney receiving clearance for the Detailed Design Review.
- GE is hailing the XA102 as the first in its history to be developed using a model-based systems engineering approach, which has played an instrumental role in the engine's design.
- Pratt & Whitney plans to continue utilizing digital processes during the design and construction phases of the XA103, aiming to test the prototype ground demonstrator in the late 2020s.
- The Defense budget for fiscal 2025 has shifted remaining funds from the Adaptive Engine Transition Program to the Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program, as the Air Force temporarily halted development for a review of the NGAD program's capabilities and potential cost.
- Allocating resources for the future of adaptive engine technology, particularly in the context of pacing challenges and technological advancements, will remain a pressing concern for the Air Force and the broader defense industry.
