Versatile Affordable Advanced Turbine Engines
Provide Game Changing Capability with
Superior Fuel Efficiency
11th Annual Science & Engineering
Technology Conference/DoD Tech Expo
Daniel E Thomson
Turbine Engine Division
Propulsion Directorate
Air Force Research Laboratory
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE, Case Number 88ABW-2010-1467
Turbine Engines Power DOD’s
“Air Presence” and “Air Capability”
Others
Helicopters
Transports
*27,525 Military A/C powered by
*49,416 Turbine Engines
Bombers
Fighters
Missiles
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE,
Case Number 88ABW-2009-3428 *Aviation Week 2008 Aerospace Source Book 2
US Air Force Energy Program
Vision … “Make energy a consideration in all we do”
• Reduce Demand
• Increase Supply
• Cultural Change
The Air Force’s mission to fly, fight, and win entails operations that
require a tremendous amount of energy
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE, Case Number 88ABW-2010-1467
Increase Supply
Single Battlespace Fuel (SBF)
• Completing S&T support for “Hydrotreated Renewable Jet” (HRJ)
biomass-derived jet fuel 50/50 blend certification by AFCO per AF Energy Plan
– Research Reports
– Data to support gap analyses Camelina Algae
• Developing next generation alternative fuels to TRL 6
– Working with DARPA, CAAFI/FAA, DOE, USDA
– Advanced processes, fully synthetic fuels
• Developing improved emissions measurement tech
– Collaborating with FAA, EPA
• Next generation endothermic fuels for hypersonics
– Improved fuels, catalysts
• Nanotechnology for improved fuels, deployable energy Alt fuel testing
catalysts
Laboratory
Scale Tests
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Case Number 88ABW-2010-1467 modeling
VAATE Provides Game Changing Capability with
Superior Fuel Efficiency and Reduced Emissions
“A primary long-term goal in aircraft
propulsion is to reduce system specific fuel
consumption by more than 30 percent over
(current) gas turbine engines. . . Technical
challenges being pursued include:
efficient, high-overall-pressure-ratio
compression systems; variable-cycle engine Advanced Affordable
technologies; advanced high-temperature Turbine Engine
materials and more effective turbine blade (AATE)
cooling; and techniques to more efficiently
recuperate energy while satisfying thermal
and power requirements.”
Adaptive
Versatile Engine
Technology
(ADVENT)
Efficient
Adaptive Highly
Efficient Embedded Small Scale Propulsion
Turbine Engine (ESSP)
(HEETE)
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE, Case Number 88ABW-2010-1467
Reduce Demand
ADaptive Versatile ENgine Technology
Vision
Multi-design point engines that automatically adjust fan & core airflow and pressures
for optimized performance & fuel efficiency at all flight conditions
High Performance... …ADVENT
Fuel Efficiency... Low Altitude Normal Takeoff
Cruise Cruise
High Efficiency Core
+
Adaptive Engine Technology
Significant Fuel Demand Reduction
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE, Case Number 88ABW-2010-1467 6
Reduce Demand
Highly Efficient Embedded Turbine Engine
HEETE Supporting Multiple Systems
Product Vision:
• Develop fuel efficient, subsonic
propulsion that supports future
ISR, UAVs, tankers and mobility extreme
endurance and range requirements
Approach:
• Combine next-generation, ultra-
efficient cores with adaptive features
UAV’s Transports / Tankers ISR
and advanced thermal management
Tactical Transport Benefits
Benefits:
• 35% improvement in fuel efficiency
• Fuel efficiency at part power
• Reduced emissions & noise
• Increased power extraction
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE, Case Number 88ABW-2010-1467
Reduce Demand
Advanced Affordable Turbine Engine (AATE)
CRITICAL TO SUPPORT ARMY AVIATION MODERNIZATION STRATEGY
FOR BLACKHAWK AND APACHE
GOALS
HIGH PERFORMANCE ROBUST AFFORDABLE
-25% Specific Fuel Consumption 6,000 hours design life -35% Production Cost
+65% Horsepower/Weight 15,000/7,500 cycles LCF cold/hot parts -35% Maintenance Cost
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE, Case Number 88ABW-2010-1467
Reduce Demand
Efficient Small Scale Propulsion
Weight
LowerWeight
Power Density, hp/lb
& Size/
Gas Turbine Technology
= Lower
ESSP
Density
Gas Turbine Technology
Density
Power Power
HigherHigher
Internal Combustion Engine Technology
Specific Fuel Consumption, lb/hp
Lower Fuel Consumption = Longer Range
Lower Fuel Consumption
Technologies: Benefits:
• High Bypass Ducted Fan • 30% Improvement in Fuel
• High Pressure Ratio Compression Efficiency
• Variable Cycle Features • 2X Increase in Loiter Time/
• Direct Fuel Injection Combustion Range
• Micro Fuel Delivery and Power • Integrated / Distributed Power
Generation Components • Conversion to JP8/ Heavy Fuel
Emerging turbine and Internal Combustion Engine technologies for UAS / missiles
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE, Case Number 88ABW-2010-1467
Reduce Demand
Component And Engine Structural
Assessment Research
Single engine demonstrator
supports durability validation for multiple technology programs
Compressive Thermal
Stress Leading Management
Edge
Treatment
Safety &
Probabilistic High Cycle FOD Tolerant Affordable Readiness
Fatigue (HCF) Design System
Prediction & Time of
Arrival Sensors
Life Cycle
CAESAR
Acoustic
Model
Cost
Heat
Release Thrust Growth
Model
3-D Heat Release
Prediction
Vibration Damping
Coatings for HCF
Fuel Management for Augmentor
Cruise Efficiency
Screech Reduction
Joint Air Force/Navy Noise
Characterization
Affordable Test Bed
Integrally Bladed Rotors
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE, Case Number 88ABW-2010-1467
VAATE is our Nation’s
Planning and Execution Construct
for Turbine Engine Technology
THE PARTNERSHIP THE MISSION
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE, Case Number 88ABW-2010-1467
