Comments by "LRRPFco52" (@LRRPFco52) on "Defense News"
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Would have wasted billions trying to save millions. F135 turned out to be the best fighter engine ever produced.
I'm sure an F136 would have been impressive as well, but for what?
GE is likely flying ADVENT motors as we speak in the 6th Gen program, unless USAF structured it differently than the ATF motor options from late 1980s-1991.
GE's YF-120L and N motors were the most impressive to the test pilots during DEMVAL, but the variable cycle feature represented risk to the program so Pratt was awarded, with the requirement that they match the YF-120 thrust, which they did with the production F119-PW-100.
Both companies have been working on their 6th Gen fighter engine submissions with 3 airflow paths, variable cycle modulation, extreme core temps, additive manufacturing to cut parts count, and alloy-ceramics.
I suspect we're going to see a 50,000lb thrust class fighter engine that can run at 32,500lb in mil power, which would be phenomenal.
With advanced composites and heat-mitigating leading edges, we might be in the age where we see a Mach 2 supercruise-capable fighter, where no afterburner is used.
Then again, a 50,000lb motor opens the possibility for the first time of having a large radome, high altitude, high endurance, Mach 3-capable interceptor....with a single engine. It's well within MiG-25 and F-111 thrust with 2 engines on them.
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The point of the new core is to increase thrust to 46,100-47,300lb in max AB, and 29,960-30,800lb in mil, while increasing the fuel efficiency to extend the range/radius even longer.
They're using different manufacturing techniques and ceramic-alloy combinations to achieve it.
P&W already have demonstrated the capability without being asked to do it, and have a plan in-place to upgrade every F135 as they come in for depot-level overhaul during their mid-life inspections and refurb schedule.
Pratt said the new core technology is so good that they've already changed their processes to the new system as a result.
In layman's terms, we're living in an era where you will witness the progression into a 50,000lb thrust class fighter engine.
Keep in mind the F-15 & F-16 have been flying with 23,770-29,160lb thrust class F100 variants.
F-22A has been flying with 35,000lb thrust class F119.
F-35s are flying with 43,000lb F135-PW-100/400.
Even with the 46,100lb F135-PW-XXX, that will mean a take-off T/W ratio of .94 with internal bombs and missiles, and a combat T/W of 1.15 with 9,000lb of fuel remaining, still carrying 2x 2000lb JDAMs and 2x AIM-120C.
If the bombs have been dropped, it would have 1.19 T/W. Think Raptor and slick Typhoon class climb rate.
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