Prototype 3-Stream Adaptive Cycle Turbine Moves to Next Phase of Testing for F-35 Re-Engine

GE has completed the initial phase of testing on its XA100 adaptive cycle engine made under the U.S. Air Force's Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP).

The development process on the groundbreaking engine is hoped to lead the way to a replacement engine for the F-35A and F-35C without requiring any structural modifications to either aircraft. The re-engine should grant the fighters better range, acceleration, and cooling to accommodate next-gen mission systems. 

GE is proud of its work on the XA-100. The adaptive engine cycle allows for two distinct modes: a high-thrust, maximum power setting, and a high-efficiency mode for optimum savings and greater loiter time. Their third-stream architecture is meant to provide a step-change in thermal management capability, as well as enabling future mission systems for increased combat effectiveness. The temperature conditions inside the engine are only possible with new, modern components, including ceramic matrix composites, polymers, and additive manufacturing.

Overall, the enhanced engine boasts a 10% thrust increase, a 25% fuel efficiency boost, and significantly improved thermal dissipation capacity in the same physical envelope as current propulsion systems. The engine will be compatible with standard USAF biofuels and reduce carbon emissions significantly over the base model. While normally, such performance targets would seem too good to be true without drawbacks of some kind, but, aside from cost, designer GE Edison Works has pulled it off. Costs for additive manufacturing are decreasing by the year, aided by a stream of constant enhancements to "printable" manufacturing processes. 

“Between the step-change fuel efficiency improvement and enhanced durability of our advanced materials, this engine provides the maximum opportunity to increase readiness and reduce operational and lifecycle costs,” said Edison Works manager David Tweedie. “No upgrade of a legacy propulsion system can simultaneously provide the revolutionary improvements in fuel efficiency, thrust, power and thermal management, and durability as the XA100 engine.”

FMI: www.geaviation.com