Paul Lewis/WILLIAMSBURG

The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has outlined conceptual plans for a follow-on to the Integrated High Performance Turbine Engine Technology (IHPTET) initiative. It could be the basis of a new, lower cost family of military engines.

IHPTET is scheduled to achieve its main goals and be concluded by 2003, though jet engine work could be extended to 2005. Attention is now turning to defining a future successor programme.

This has been labelled the Versatile Affordable Turbo Engine (VATE) project by the laboratory.

While IHPTET was mainly focused on improved performance, the target in the third and final phase being a 100% hike in turbofan thrust-to-weight ratio, VATE's main goal will be affordability. Using the Pratt & Whitney F119 engine as baseline, the AFRL is looking to VATE to demonstrate a tenfold improvement in capability over cost.

Improved affordability will focus on lowering operational and support costs through a maintenance-free core, damage-tolerant design, health management and better fuel consumption.

Production costs will be cut through the use of 'multi-use' hardware, advanced manufacturing and reduced part count. Virtual design/testing, technology maturation and system commonality will reduce development costs.

A key element in this will be the use of versatile engine cores, which would form the basis of a family of different sized powerplants. As an example, the AFRL suggests the use of a 'small' versatile core could encompass a 7,450kW (10,000shp) large turboshaft or power generator, a 7,000-10,000lb (31-44.5kN) thrust turbofan for a military transport, a 5,000lb powerplant for unmanned air vehicles or a 1,600lb class unit for an advanced missile.

A tentative programme schedule could entail work on a VATE demonstrator starting before 2005. A proposed Phase 1, encompassing work on a versatile core and intelligent engine, would extend past 2010. Phase 2 would go through to 2015, and focus on engine architecture, compact and cloakable infrared and radar cross-section design, and maintenance-free core engine technologies.

Source: Flight International