GE's XA100 for the USAF's AETP from first engine testing in December 2020. AETP will demonstrate adaptive engine technology can be scaled to meet military fighter engine size requirements while ensuring appropriate manufacturing and technology readiness levels by producing flight-weight prototypes. (General Electric)
General Electric (GE) began testing its second XA100 engine on 26 August as part of the US Air Force's (USAF's) Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP), according to a company statement.
This is GE's final planned prototype engine as part of AETP. Full-scale prototype testing in the programme is the culmination of a multiyear technology and risk reduction effort to bring an adaptive cycle engine to full maturity in partnership with the USAF.
David Tweedie, GE Edison Works general manager of advanced combat engines, told Janes on 7 September that GE's two XA100 prototype engines are essentially identical product-relevant test assets. The key differences are the types and locations of instrumentation in different parts of the engine, which will allow the company to fully characterise the system- and component-level behavior.
GE's first XA100 engine tests began in December 2020. Tweedie said GE's goals for this second prototype XA100 is to achieve the company's defined test points, collect engine performance data, and further reduce the risk associated with a new engine architecture. GE believes that it has reduced a considerable amount of risk through AETP tests during its preceding programmes: Adaptive Engine Technology Development (AETD) and Adaptive Versatile Engine Technology (ADVENT).
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