GE Aerospace nears assembly of XA102 adaptive cycle engine

GE Aerospace is moving toward assembly of its XA102 adaptive cycle engine, which it is developing for the US Air Force to power sixth-generation combat aircraft. The company is buying hardware from suppliers and running subcomponent tests before it builds the first test asset.

The work sits under the Air Force's Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion programme. That programme is meant to produce an engine for Boeing's developmental F-47 sixth-generation fighter and possibly other future aircraft.

According to GE Aerospace, the XA102 draws on experience from the XA100, an adaptive cycle engine developed under the service's earlier Adaptive Engine Transition Program. Adaptive cycle engines can change their internal airflow in flight, combining high-power fighter performance with fuel-efficient cruising modes while boosting cooling capacity for aircraft electronics.

The XA102 is the first engine built using machine-based definition rather than two-dimensional drawings, the company says. GE Aerospace says the approach is meant to cut development time and cost, and that it is working with suppliers to make sure they can apply machine-based definition in their own manufacturing and inspection processes.

A company official said the team is positioned to advance adaptive cycle technology and support the Air Force's vision for next-generation propulsion. GE Aerospace says it completed demonstrations linked to the model-based engineering practices in the first phase of the programme.