Operation of the Rolls-Royce Pegasus Engine on Low Grade Non-Aviation Fuels

A F402-RR-406A Pegasus Engine completed a sea level and altitude test program on a broad range of aviation and non aviation fuels to highlight the fuel character effects on engine starting, handling, performance, gaseous emissions and smoke, hot section durability, and AV-8B aircraft operation. The engine's abilities to start, handle, and perform were unimpaired by the range of fuels tested. The effects of using reduced quality alternative fuels, as characterized by lower hydrogen content, were centered mainly on the combustor section of the engine which experienced increases in smoke production, higher flame radiation and hotter metal temperatures, which could mean lower combustor durability. Fuel character effects on the engine were translated into operational impacts on the AV-8B Harrier Aircraft typical mission performance, which resulted in a small effect on payload/range capability.