General Electric (GE) is developing engine technology for the Air Force to enable an array of new weapons on a future 6th-generation fighter that would follow Lockheed Martin's (LMT) 5th-generation jets, the F-22 and F-35.
For several years, both GE and United Technologies' (UTX) Pratt & Whitney unit have been working with the Air Force Research Laboratory on adaptive cycle engines (ACE). Unlike the fixed-airflow engines powering today's military aircraft, ACE promises to enable automatic switching between high-thrust mode for maximum power and high-efficiency mode for fuel savings, based on the pilot's mission.
GE has been developing the ACE for an eventual upgrade to the F-35's engines. Those are currently sourced solely from Pratt & Whitney. But the Air Force awarded a $437 million contract modification last month to GE for development work on an engine that powers a 6th-generation fighter.
"It will be a game changer in combat capability with unmatched improvements in range, thrust and heat dissipation capacity, critical to future mission requirements," said Dan McCormick, general manager of GE's Advanced Combat Engine Program, in a statement.
He later told IBD in an interview that he expects "design work to start very, very soon."
Lasers On 6th-Generation Fighter — And More
In addition to improved thrust and fuel efficiency, a key innovation planned for the ACE is a third cooling stream that will absorb and dissipate more heat produced by a jet, including from its engine and onboard systems.
GE Aviation estimates that three-stream technology will deliver a 60% improvement in heat absorption, allowing aircraft to accommodate more next-gen weapons technology.
While plans for a 6th-generation fighter are still in the works, with Lockheed and Boeing (BA) each looking at early concepts, it could have lasers, electronic warfare capabilities, hypersonic weapons and other futuristic features.
McCormick said GE's ACE puts the 6th-generation fighter "in a position" to deploy laser weapons and "to do it at long range."
"But it goes well beyond the possibility of lasers," he added. "There are now radar and defensive systems — it really enables any heat-generating equipment to be added to the aircraft."
GE Rival Pratt & Whitney Sees F-35 Lasers
United Technologies' jet engine unit is developing a similar engine that will also support futuristic weapons.
In September 2017, Pratt & Whitney said its successful tests of an adaptive three-stream fan showed the engine architecture was suited for next-gen military combat aircraft.
It also is refining F-35 engine technology with more power and thermal management capability to allow use of "directed energy weapons and other advanced offensive and defensive systems."
6th-Generation Fighter: More Power, More Targets
GE's technology is still at the prototype stage but it sees a 50% improvement in loiter time for its ACE, allowing pilots to "persist" longer in areas of interest and conduct increasingly vital stealth missions. It also sees a 35% increase in range and a 25% reduction in fuel consumption.
Combined, that efficient fuel burn and higher thrust will enable military aircraft to go greater distances and engage more targets, according to GE.
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