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General Electric Completes Tests Of Three-Stream Combat Engine, The New Technology That Will Revolutionize Sixth-Generation Fighters

Written by Flavia Marinho
Published on 18/05/2021 at 11:58
Updated on 18/05/2021 at 12:04
general electric - GE - aviation - motor - caça - EUA
Motor de caça de ciclo adaptativo XA100 de três correntes General Electric / Fonte: Reprodução – Via GE
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GE Aviation Tests Revolutionary Fighter Engine. The First XA100 Combat Engine – General Electric’s Three-Stream Engine – Will Be Used by the U.S. Air Force

General Electric announces, via a press release, that tests of its first XA100 three-stream adaptive cycle engine, a new technology that will power sixth-generation fighters, have been completed, marking the beginning of a new era in combat propulsion.

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General Electric began testing at its altitude test facility in Evendale, Ohio, on December 22, 2020. The engine’s performance and mechanical behavior were consistent with pre-test predictions and fully aligned with the objectives of the U.S. Air Force’s Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP).

“We were exceptionally pleased with the engine’s performance during the test,” said David Tweedie, General Manager of Advanced Combat Engines at General Electric’s Edison Works.

This successful test validates General Electric’s XA100 engine’s ability to provide transformative propulsion capability for fighters.

The XA100-GE-100 Engine Combines Three Fundamental Innovations to Provide a Generational Shift in Combat System Propulsion Performance:

  • An adaptive engine cycle, which provides high-power mode and high-efficiency mode for optimal fuel economy and downtime;
  • A third-stream architecture, which provides a radical shift in thermal management capability, allowing future mission systems to enhance combat effectiveness;
  • Extensive use of advanced component technologies, including ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), polymer matrix composites (PMCs), and additive manufacturing.

These revolutionary innovations increase thrust by 10%, improve fuel efficiency by 25%, and provide significantly greater heat dissipation capability for the aircraft, all within the same physical envelope as current propulsion systems. In summary, a fighter equipped with the XA100, compared to the current generation of engines, would achieve:

  • A 50% improvement in “loitering” time (stationary flight over the general target area, awaiting orders or opportunity to strike);
  • A 35% increase in flight range;
  • A 25% reduction in fuel consumption;
  • A 60% increase in heat dissipation from aircraft systems (considering laser weapons);
  • To better visualize the gas flow management in the XA100, it is worth visiting the G.E. website.
YouTube video
Watch the Operation of General Electric’s Revolutionary Fighter Engine

General Electric Conducts Thorough Testing with the U.S. Air Force

“This was the most instrumented engine test in General Electric and the U.S. Air Force’s history. We were able to obtain an immense amount of high-quality test data, which demonstrated the engine’s capabilities and provided a good return on investment for the Air Force,” Tweedie explained.

These future turbines, with a thrust power of around 200 kN, will also be offered for the remotorization of fifth-generation aircraft like the F-35.

General Electric and the USAF incorporate into the design the forecast for the use of directed energy weapons (lasers), the first generations of which are close to entering service.

General Electric is the only engine company competing and has won the previous ADVENT and AETD programs. The assembly of General Electric’s second XA100 prototype engine is underway, and tests of this engine are set to begin in 2021.

77 Job Openings for High School and Higher Education to Work at General Electric Today

The multinational GE Brazil has job openings for high school, technical, and higher education professionals in several regions of Brazil. Today’s highlights are the job openings for Production Assistants, Warehouse Clerks, Technicians, Operators, Helpers, Engineers, Interns, Apprentices, PCD professionals, and much more.

To see all the positions and apply for any job openings at General Electric, just visit General Electric’s official website at this link. Select Brazil as the country located on the left corner of the page panel, and check all available vacancies. Good luck!

Flavia Marinho

Flavia Marinho é Engenheira pós-graduada, com vasta experiência na indústria de construção naval onshore e offshore. Nos últimos anos, tem se dedicado a escrever artigos para sites de notícias nas áreas militar, segurança, indústria, petróleo e gás, energia, construção naval, geopolítica, empregos e cursos. Entre em contato com flaviacamil@gmail.com ou WhatsApp +55 21 973996379 para correções, sugestão de pauta, divulgação de vagas de emprego ou proposta de publicidade em nosso portal.

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