Rolls-Royce's Indianapolis, Indiana based-Liberty Works has successfully completed conceptual and preliminary design reviews for the US Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) Highly Efficient Embedded Turbine Engine (HEETE) technology programme.
The objective of the HEETE technology programme is to develop and demonstrate technologies that enable a substantial reduction in specific fuel consumption for embedded engine applications. HEETE technologies, including incorporation of an ultra-high pressure ratio compressor and integrated thermal management, will achieve a six-fold improvement in affordable capability.
"Efforts will now shift towards the detailed design phase of the HEETE compressor rig programme," says Liberty Works' chief operating officer Phil Burkholder.
HEETE is part of the US Air Force's Versatile Affordable Advanced Turbine Engines (VAATE) programme that aims to provide propulsion systems with improved fuel efficiency.
According to R-R, initial US government assessments of HEETE technologies' expected impact indicate a 30% increased range or 50% increased payload, fuel load, 90% increased loiter time for an unmanned air vehicle and almost double the range radius or loiter time for the notional US Navy combat unmanned air vehicle. In September 2007 R-R was awarded a $19.6 million contract by the AFRL for HEETE work.
Source: Flight International