Small Turbine Advanced Gas Generators For Future Engine Requirements

In 1971, the Eustis Directorate of the US Army Air Mobility R&D Laboratory issued four contracts for the design, fabrication, and testing of the Small Turbine Advanced Gas Generator (STAGG). The STAGG airflow range is approximately 1-5 lb/sec. Two contracts are in the 1-2 and two contracts are in the 3-5 lb/sec airflow size. The purpose of the STAGG program is to provide the core gas generator technology base for future small gas turbine engine programs for the Department of Defense (DOD) as well as the Army. The STAGG program has incorporated advanced component technology into a gas generator in order to define matching and integration problems at an early date, thereby reducing gas turbine engine development time and cost. STAGG is a core gas generator (gas producer) with the compressor, combustor, turbine, and bearings and seals as prime interest areas. The gas generators do not include accessory drive or power turbine systems, but do include laboratory exhaust, lubrication and fuel control systems necessary for operation and testing. The STAGG programs are 4 years in length and include an engine specification and producibility analysis along with the design, fabrication, and testing. The initial gas generator design has been completed, and the first series of gas generator tests has been initiated. The first draft specification for the turboshaft engine derivative (both front and rear drive) has been completed.