Military Specification Effects on Engine Particle Separator Design

Military aircraft engine specifications do not explicitly define the required performance characteristics for an inlet protection system. Particle separation efficiency, pressure loss, physical size, weight and cost for this engine component are defined by the engine designer based upon the required environmental ingestion criteria established in the engine specification. The need for an inlet particle separator system is initially created by the requirement for the propulsion system to successfully pass sand and dust ingestion testing. Once the need for an inlet protection system is established it is considered as much a part of the engine as the compressor, combustor, turbines, mechanical components, and the controls and accessories.