Adaptive Versatile Engine Technology
The ADaptive Versatile ENgine Technology (or ADVENT) program is an aircraft engine development program run by the United States Air Force with the goal of developing an efficient variable cycle engine for next generation military aircraft in the 20,000 lbf (89 kN) thrust class.
Objective
The objective of ADVENT is to develop an engine that is optimized for several design points, rather than the traditional single point. Instead of having an engine that is designed soley for high speed (like many current fighter engines are) or for high fuel efficiency (like many current commercial engines are), the final ADVENT engine would be designed to operate at both those conditions.[1] Specific goals include reducing average fuel consumption by 25% and reducing the temperature of cooling air produced by the engine..[2]
History
The ADVENT program is one of several related development projects being pursued under the Air Force's Versatile Affordable Advanced Turbine Engines (VAATE) program. After being announced in April 2007, Rolls Royce and GE Aviation were awarded Phase I contracts in August 2007 to explore concepts, develop and test critical components, and begin preliminary designs of an engine.[1] [3]
In October 2009, Rolls Royce was awarded the Phase II contract to continue component testing and integrate the developed technologies into a technology demonstrator engine.[2] GE Aviation was also awarded funds to continue development of their technology demonstation core, which was unexpected as the ADVENT program had originally called for a single contractor to be selected for Phase II.[4]
Operational testing of the engine is expected to begin in 2013.[2]
Applications
The ADVENT engine was originally targeted at the Air Force's 2018 New Generation Bomber, but uncertainty in that program has led Rolls Royce (RR), one of the primary developers involved with the project, to predict that the ADVENT engine will be better suited for a potential 2020 engine upgrade for the F-35 Lightning II. RR, who is partnered with GE Aviation on the embattled F136 alternate engine for the F-35, has suggested that the ADVENT development contracts are all the more reason to continue the F136, as any engine upgrade from Pratt & Whitney (makers of the F135 engine currently used in the F-35) would have to be seperately funded, either internally or to additional government cost.[5]
See also
Related development
Related lists
References
- ^ a b Barr, Larine (2007). Air Force plans to develop revolutionary engine. Press Release. 11 Apr 2007. Accessed 20 Oct 2009.
- ^ a b c Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc. Selected By U.S. Air Force to Complete ADVENT Research Demonstrator Program. Press Release. 18 Oct 2009. Accessed 20 Oct 2009.
- ^ Trimble, Steven (2007). Pratt & Whitney Loses Second Bit for USAF Technology Contracts. Flightglobal. 25 Sept 2007. Accessed 20 Oct 2009.
- ^ Trimble, Steve (2009). USAF Selects General Electric and Rolls Royce to Continue ADVENT work. Flight International. 15 Oct 2009. Accessed 20 Oct 2009.
- ^ Trimble, Steven (2009). Rolls Royce: F136 Survival is key for major F-35 engine upgrade. Flight International. 11 Jun 2009. Accessed 20 Oct 2009.