The US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) has awarded a $437m contract modification to United Technologies division Pratt & Whitney for the delivery of adaptive engines.
The next-generation adaptive propulsion risk reduction engines will be supplied for potential air superiority applications.
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Pratt & Whitney Military Development Programs vice-president Chris Flynn said: “We look forward to continuing the maturation of adaptive engine technologies in collaboration with the USAF for the next-generation of combat aircraft.
“In addition to providing a seamless transition between high thrust and fuel efficiency, adaptive propulsion can enable an unprecedented range of capability growth in mission systems and heat dissipation capacity at the air vehicle level. We are committed to giving the warfighter a technological advantage.”
In addition to providing architecture for demand-modulated adaptive engines, the company is maturing a technology range that includes control systems, power and thermal management systems for increased range, persistence, survivability and maintainability capabilities for the USAF’s advanced weapon systems.
Furthermore, Pratt & Whitney is using varied learning from design and test activities that are completed as part of the Adaptive Engine Technology Development (AETD) effort.
The learning will enable the Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP) to upgrade the technologies required to address the future mission requirements of air superiority applications.
Pratt & Whitney is focused on designing, manufacturing and servicing aircraft and helicopter engines, in addition to other auxiliary power units.
