Next-generation military propulsion

Design concepts for future strike aircraft, transport, and UAVs.

Military propulsion has entered a phase of unprecedented research, development, and testing, with industry and military laboratories jointly laying the foundations for engines destined for the next generation of long-range strike aircraft, transports, and unmanned surveillance vehicles.

Many of the powerplants being developed for those platforms are still paper engines, though some are in flight test already. One such engine is the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545, a popular engine for midsize business jets that earlier this year provided the motivation for the first turbofan-powered Predator UAV, the Avenger (Predator C). What is unique about the configuration of the Avenger is that the P&WC engine is embedded in the airframe, which reduces the UAV's signature but also creates special airflow challenges for propulsion engineers. Without a visible path to the core, the intake air twists and turns while creating distortion. Such distortion degrades engine function.