General Motors (GM) and Williams International have teamed up to develop microturbine generators for aerospace applications, primarily unmanned air vehicles (UAVs).
The powerplants, which will also be used for distributed power generation, will be produced from a 40kW microturbine generator that was developed for an advanced hybrid electric car, which can run on gasoline, diesel or natural gas.
The companies believe a gearbox and propeller can be mated to the unit for the UAV market and they expect to have prototypes running in 18 months, with GM gearing up for high volume production within three years.
Meanwhile, Williams is in talks with Bell Helicopter Textron over re-engineing Bell's Eagle Eye tiltrotor UAV - now powered by the Allison C20B turboshaft - with the Williams FJX-2.
The 3kN (700lb)-thrust FJX-2 is in development as part of NASA's General Aviation Propulsion programme. The FJX-2 will be available for turbine and turboprop applications in about 2000.
The core of the advanced low-cost powerplant is running on a test stand, and a prototype will be available for testing in early 1999. Williams International hopes that the engine will sell for no more than $350,000.
Source: Flight International
