Direct Drive Accessories, Feasible by 1980?

Direct drive turbine engine control components and airframe accessories are expected to be feasible by 1980. A comparison between a currently operational engine and a projected 1980 engine indicates a weight reduction of 11% and a frontal area reduction of 30% can be achieved by the use of direct drive components and accessories. Instead of a gearbox, the projected engine uses a combination of engine-rotor-driven components (fuel pump, oil pumps, and starter) and hot-gas-turbine-driven accessories (electric generator and hydraulic pump).

The technological advancements that must be accomplished during this decade to realize the projected engine improvement are discussed.