F-47 Fighter’s Adaptive Engine. © RTX
At the RTX Technology Research Center, engineers powered up a digital model of a next-generation F-47 Fighter’s adaptive engine, one designed to adjust on the fly, delivering either higher speed or better fuel efficiency when needed.
Hundreds of virtual sensors monitored its performance in real time. Then, they randomly switched one sensor off.
In the past, finding out which sensor failed and what it was measuring could take hours. With digital design tools, the team identified the issue in just minutes.
F-47 Fighter’s Adaptive Engine. © RTX
The benefit of this new approach was obvious. It’s one of many advantages Pratt & Whitney, an RTX company, has gained by developing its prototype engine, the XA103, entirely in a digital environment. Engineers believe this fully digital process will significantly speed up delivery of the advanced engine the U.S. Air Force needs to maintain its edge.
“A lot of excitement grew from the capability of this,” said Alan Seipt, Pratt & Whitney’s validation chief for adaptive programs, “that it’s not just residing in somebody’s head or a bunch of dusty binders that you have to page through to figure out where the connections are. It’s a digital tool and with a couple buttons, you can understand where you’re at and make real decisions.”
F-47 Fighter’s Adaptive Engine. © RTX
“The United States is not interested in parity in any fights around the world,” said Alex Johnson, who leads Pratt & Whitney’s Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion, or NGAP, program. “You’re really looking to create air superiority and air dominance – and you do that by staying at least several years and preferably decades ahead of any potential adversaries.”
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