The purpose of this paper is twofold: (1) to show that Naval aviation has continuing requirements for shaft-power turbine engines, and (2) to describe briefly some of the more important aspects of turboprop and turboshaft engines under development to fill these requirements. Brief coverage will be given to performance, variations in configuration, applications, and, lastly, developmental problems still requiring action by American industry and ingenuity.
By way of definition, the term “turboprop” applies to a shaft-power turbine engine primarily for use in fixed-wing aircraft. This engine is currently being advertized under the more sophisticated name of “prop-jet.” The term “turboshaft” applies to a shaft-power turbine engine primarily for use in helicopters and other aircraft with vertical or short take-off capability.