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Aviation History
1982
1982 - 0085.PDF
propulsion Avco developing new ium turboshaft AVCO LYCOMING'S new 800 s.h.p. turboshaft, the result of a US Army/ Avco Advanced Technology Demon strator Engine programme, has met its performance requirements in tests covering four prototype units. The programme began in 1977, when Avco was awarded a US Army contract to design, develop, and demonstrate an 800 s.h.p. advanced technology engine. Objectives were to improve fuel burn by 17-20 per cent compared with current turbo- shafts in the same class, while main taining 600 s.h.p. at 4,000ft and 95°F. Layout of the engine, which is designated PLT34B-1, is conventional, with an axial/centrifugal compressor driven by a two^stage turbine. A single-stage free-power turbine drives the output shaft, located at the inlet end of the engine. The secret of the claimed perform ance is in the PLT34B-l's full auth ority digital engine control, which, for military reliability, will be fitted with a manual backup. Other relia bility features are an integral lubrica tion system and an inlet particle separator. Infrared suppression will be used. The new turboshaft is small and light compared with its older contem poraries, the Gem, and the PT6B-34. Accessories (gearbox, alternator, elec tronic control, and oil filter) are placed on top, and materials and aero dynamics developments have allowed shorter compressor and combustor stages to be introduced. USAF updates engine maintenance methods THE US AIR FORCE is joining with engine manufacturers and subcon tractors in a $15 million programme to extend the useful life of service engines. Called Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE), the system will apply to the entire USAF powerplant inventory for the next eight to ten years, and possibly to new engines for advanced airframes. NDE will be used in tandem with the Air Force's new maintenance philosophy, which aims to prevent premature retirement of "thousands of expensive engine parts annually that probably have many hours of useful life in them". The new NDE system will include eddy current and ultrasonic inspec tion of parts. Testing continues on the common exhaust nozzle that will be fitted to the Rolls-Royce RB.2II- S35E4. As well as contributing to the claimed ten per cent improvement in fuel efficiency over the R&.2I I-535C, the new nozzle enables a 40 per cent increase in reverse thrust power m*S£3%k TFE76 in good shape EARLY tests of the Garrett TFE76 turbofan for the US Air Force's Next Generation Trainer have fulfilled performance specifications. The engine reached 100 per cent thrust during its first test, with indications that noise levels will be some 20dB lower than the J69 that flies in the Cessna T37B trainer. Performance testing started on November 14, the engine being equipped with all its accessories in cluding the gearbox, self-contained lubrication system, starter-generator, fuel pump, and a full-authority digital electronic fuel control. Garrett's T76, the military derivative of the TPE33I. Experience gained from these success- ful turboprops has been fed into the TFE76 turbofan, which uses the same core Modules... Avco Lycoming has reported the greatest production/delivery pro gress in the LTS101 turboshaft engine programme since the unit went into production in 1976. The company shipped 34 engines in October and is heading for a monthly delivery goal of 75 engines per month. Western Gear has received "multi- million" dollar contracts to supply speed decreaser gearboxes for General Electric's T58 turboshaft, and accessory drives for GE's F404. General Electric is to deliver 175 F404s to Australia for that coun try's F-18 fighter programme. Final test and assembly of the engines will be done by the Com monwealth Aircraft Corporation in Melbourne. Delivery of the F404s is scheduled for between July 1984, and 1989. Peak production rate will be 44 engines per year. 83
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