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 adaptive cycle, or variable cycle, engine for next generation military aircraft in the 20,000 lbf (89 kN) thrust class. The program was succeeded by the Adaptive Engine Technology Demonstrator (AETD) program in 2012 and the Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP) in 2016, with the latter focused on developing and testing a 45,000 lbf (200 kN) thrust class adaptive cycle engine for next generation fighter aircraft and potential F-35 re-engining.

Cut-away view of a prospective ADVENT engine

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 solely 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]

Applications

The ADVENT engine was originally targeted at the Air Force's 2018 Next-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 separately funded, either internally or to additional government cost.[3]

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][4]

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 demonstration core, which was unexpected as the ADVENT program had originally called for a single contractor to be selected for Phase II.[5]

USAF officials have denied that the program is an attempt to create a backup engine program for the F-35.[6]

With the threat of the GE/RR F136, Pratt & Whitney has funded an adaptive fan variant of its F135, that may qualify for the follow-on Adaptive Engine Technology Development (AETD) program under the US Air Force Research Laboratory.[7]

In 2012, GE was chosen to continue its ADVENT work into the AETD program.[8] GE and Pratt & Whitney were selected over Rolls Royce to continue the AETD program to mature fuel-efficient, high-thrust powerplants.[9] Operational testing of the engine was expected to begin in 2013.[2]

In 2014, Chuck Hagel requested a $1 billion investment in the engine technology.[10] A government official has warned that sequestration risks ending the program.[11]

In 2016, the Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP) was launched with the goal of developing and testing adaptive engines for the future sixth generation fighter programs, Penetrating Counter Air (PCA) for USAF and Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) for US Navy, as well as potential re-engining of the F-35. The program assigned the new designations XA100 for General Electric's design and XA101 for Pratt & Whitney's.[12]

In 2017, Pratt wrapped up tests of their three stream engine with a F135 core, which may be used on the Penetrating Counter Air (PCA) platform.[13]

See also

Related development

Related lists

References
  1. Barr, Larine. "Air Force plans to develop revolutionary engine" Archived June 5, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. US Air Force press release, 11 April 2007, Accessed: 20 October 2009.
  2. "Rolls Royce Selected for ADVENT Demonstrator", Press Release, 18 Oct 2009, Accessed 20 Oct 2009.
  3. Trimble, Steven. "Rolls Royce: F136 Survival is key for major F-35 engine upgrade" Flight International, 11 June 2009, Accessed: 20 Oct 2009
  4. Trimble, Steven. "Pratt & Whitney Loses Second Bit for USAF Technology Contracts". Flightglobal, 25 September 2007. Accessed: 20 October 2009.
  5. Trimble, Steve. "USAF Selects General Electric and Rolls-Royce to Continue ADVENT work". Flight International, 15 October 2009. Accessed: 20 Oct 2009.
  6. Wright, Austin. "Lawmakers suspect jet engine end run." Politico, 16 May 2012.
  7. Majumdar, Dave. "FARNBOROUGH: Pratt to test new adaptive fan F135 variant next year." Flight International, 12 July 2012.
  8. Brooks, Robert. "USAF Taps GE to Develop New Jet Engines." American Machinist, 21 October 2012.
  9. Warwick, Graham. "Pratt In, Rolls Out, GE Stays On AFRL Advanced Engine Demo." Aviation Week, 18 September 2012.
  10. Mehta, Aaron (24 February 2014). "Pentagon, Air Force doubles down on engine technology". militarytimes.com. Gannett Government Media. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  11. Warwick, Graham (3 April 2015). "Budget Cuts To Future Weapons Could Have Long-Term Impact". Aviation Week & Space Technology. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  12. Trimble, Steven (9 July 2018). "USAF starts work on defining adaptive engine for future fighter". Flight Global. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  13. Insinna, Valerie (18 September 2017). "Eyeing the future fighter, Pratt & Whitney hits milestone with new adaptive engine". www.defensenews.com. Sightline Media Group. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
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