Aerospace Propulsion and Power Technology

Mission — Aerospace Propulsion and Power Technology source

This program develops and demonstrates technologies to achieve enabling and revolutionary advances in turbine, advanced-cycle, rocket, and space propulsion as well as electrical power, thermal management, and fuels. The program has five current projects, each focusing on technologies with a high potential to enhance the performance of existing and future Air Force weapon systems. The Aerospace Power Technology project develops and demonstrates adaptive power and thermal management components, controls, and systems for high-power payloads and aircraft as part of energy-optimized aircraft development. The Aircraft Propulsion Subsystems Integration project develops demonstrator engines by integrating the engine cores demonstrated in the Advanced Turbine Engine Gas Generator project with low-pressure components. The Advanced Aerospace Propulsion project develops the scramjet propulsion cycle to a technology readiness level appropriate for in-flight demonstration and for full integration with other engine cycles (including turbine and rocket based). The Advanced Turbine Engine Gas Generator project develops and demonstrates core turbine engine technologies for current and future aircraft propulsion systems. The Missile Rocket Propulsion project develops and demonstrates innovative rocket propulsion technologies, propellants, and manufacturing techniques. In FY 2025, the RDT&E Budget Activity 03 (BA03) Aerospace Propulsion and Power Technology efforts and activities under PE 0603216F, was transferred to PE 0603211F, Aerospace Technology Dev/Demo for increased integration between airframe, flight control, propulsion, electrical, power and thermal management. In FY 2025, the entirety of PE 0603216F, Aerospace Propulsion and Power Technology, Project 633035 Aerospace Power Technology, was transferred to PE 0603211F, Aerospace Technology Dev/Demo, Project 634927 Flight Systems Control. In FY 2025, the entirety of PE 0603216F, Aerospace Propulsion and Power Technology, Project 634093 Missile Rocket Propulsion Integ & Demo, was transferred to PE 0603211F, Aerospace Technology Dev/Demo, Project 634093 Missile Rocket Propulsion Integ & Demo. In FY 2025, the entirety of PE 0603216F, Aerospace Propulsion and Power Technology, Project 634921 Aircraft Propulsion Subsystems Int, was transferred to PE 0603211F, Aerospace Technology Dev/Demo, Project 634921 Aircraft Propulsion Subsystems Int. In FY 2025, the entirety of PE 0603216F, Aerospace Propulsion and Power Technology, Project 635098 Advanced Aerospace Propulsion, was transferred to PE 0603211F, Aerospace Technology Dev/Demo, Project 634926 High Speed Systems Integ & Demo. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver science & technology capabilities. The use of program funds in this program element would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 0601102F, 0602020, 0602102F, 0602202F,0602203F, 0602204F, 0602602F, 0602605F, 0602788F, 0602298F, and 1206601SF. This program element may include necessary expenses to support the operation and maintenance of facilities to manage, execute, and deliver science and technology capabilities. Projects in this program have been coordinated through the Department of Defense (DoD) Science and Technology (S&T) Executive Committee process to harmonize efforts and eliminate duplication. This program is in Budget Activity 3, Advanced Technology Development because this budget activity includes development of subsystems and components and efforts to integrate subsystems and components into system prototypes for field experiments and/or tests in a simulated environment.

Mission — Aerospace Power Technology source

This project develops and demonstrates system and subsystem integration to include adaptive architectures, controls, actuation, electrical power, thermal management, and distribution for aerospace applications. This project develops and demonstrates the components, controls and systems required to satisfy the operational needs of current and future aircraft and enables the use of future high-power payloads. This technology enhances reliability and survivability, and reduces vulnerability, weight, and life cycle costs of air platforms. The electrical power system components developed are projected to provide a two-fold to five-fold improvement in aircraft reliability and maintainability, and a reduction in power system weight. This project is integrated into energy optimized aircraft efforts and power and thermal programs. In FY 2025, the entirety of PE 0603216F, Aerospace Propulsion and Power Technology, Project 633035 Aerospace Power Technology, is transferred to PE 0603211F, Aerospace Technology Dev/Demo, Project 634927 Flight Systems Control.

Mission — Missile Rocket Propulsion Integ & Demo source

This project develops technologies for the sustainment of strategic systems (including solid rocket motor boosters and missile propulsion, post boost control, and aging and surveillance efforts) and tactical rockets. Characteristics such as environmental acceptability, affordability, reliability, responsiveness, reduced weight, and reduced operation and launch costs are emphasized. Increased life and performance of propulsion systems are key goals. Technology areas investigated include ground demonstrations of compact, lightweight, advanced propulsion technologies and high-energy propellants. Aging and surveillance thrusts for solid rocket motors could reduce lifetime prediction uncertainties for individual motors by fifty percent, enabling motor replacement for cause. The efforts in this project contribute to the sustainment of the rocket propulsion industry, providing rocket propulsion technology for the entire Department of Defense (DoD). The efforts in this project are reviewed by a DoD level steering committee annually for relevance to DoD missions. This project includes the initiation and development of programs addressing DAF capability gaps and provides technologies for transformational future force capabilities. Transformational efforts will be identified through a competitive process and be responsive to DAF design priorities. Selected efforts will be designated as transformational, indicating enterprise-level priority. In FY 2025, the entirety of PE 0603216F, Aerospace Propulsion and Power Technology, Project 634093 Missile Rocket Propulsion Integ & Demo, is transferred to PE 0603211F, Aerospace Technology Dev/Demo, Project 634093 Missile Rocket Propulsion Integ & Demo.

Mission — Aircraft Propulsion Subsystems Int source

This project develops and demonstrates technology to increase turbine engine operational reliability, durability, mission flexibility, and performance while reducing weight, fuel consumption, and cost of ownership. The Aircraft Propulsion Subsystems Integration (APSI) project includes demonstrator engines for manned systems and efficient small-scale propulsion for remotely piloted aircraft and cruise missile applications. The demonstrator engines integrate the core (high- pressure spool) technology developed under a joint multi-agency and aerospace industry project with the engine (low-pressure spool) technology such as fans, turbines, engine controls, mechanical systems, exhaust nozzles, and augmentors. Additionally, this project includes activities to improve propulsion safety and readiness. This project also focuses on integration of inlets, nozzles, engine-to-airframe compatibility, and power and thermal management subsystems technologies. The APSI project provides aircraft with potential for longer range and higher cruise speeds with lower specific fuel consumption, surge power for successful engagements, high sortie rates with reduced maintenance, reduced life cycle cost, and improved survivability, resulting in increased mission effectiveness. Technologies developed are applicable to sustained high-speed vehicles and responsive space launch. The Aircraft Propulsion Subsystems Integration project is focused on improving propulsion capabilities while at the same time reducing the cost of ownership. Anticipated technology advances include turbine engine improvements providing approximately twice the range for a sustained supersonic combat aircraft, doubling the time on station with ten times the power output for surveillance aircraft and propulsion for a high speed supersonic missile with double the range for time sensitive targets. This project includes the initiation and development of programs addressing DAF capability gaps and provides technologies for transformational future force capabilities. Transformational efforts will be identified through a competitive process and be responsive to DAF design priorities. Selected efforts will be designated as transformational, indicating enterprise-level priority. In FY 2023, Core Engine Technologies, High Pressure Ratio Core Engine Technologies, and Adaptive Turbine Engine Core Technology efforts transferred from Program 0603216F, Aerospace Propulsion & Power Technology, Project 63681B, Advanced Turbine Engine Gas Generator to Program 0603216F, Aerospace Propulsion and Power Technology, Project 634921, Aircraft Propulsion Subsystems Integration in order to effectively and efficiently align resources to Aerospace Systems Core Technical Competencies. In FY 2025, the entirety of PE 0603216F, Aerospace Propulsion and Power Technology, Project 634921 Aircraft Propulsion Subsystems Int, is transferred to PE 0603211F, Aerospace Technology Dev/Demo, Project 634921 Aircraft Propulsion Subsystems Int.

Mission — Advanced Aerospace Propulsion source

This project develops and demonstrates, via ground and flight tests, the scramjet propulsion cycle to a technology readiness level appropriate for full integration with other engine cycles (including turbine and rocket-based) to provide the Air Force with transformational military capabilities. The primary focus is on the hydrocarbon- fueled, scramjet engine. Multi-cycle engines will provide the propulsion systems for possible application to support aircraft and weapon platforms. Efforts include: scramjet flow-path optimization to enable operation over the widest possible range of Mach numbers; active combustion control to assure continuous positive thrust (even during mode transition); robust flame-holding to maintain stability through flow distortions; and maximized volume-to-surface area to minimize the thermal load imposed by the high-speed engine. Thermal management plays a vital role in scramjet and combined cycle engines, including considerations for protecting low speed propulsion systems (e.g., turbine engines) during hypersonic flight. In FY 2025, the entirety of PE 0603216F, Aerospace Propulsion and Power Technology, Project 635098 Advanced Aerospace Propulsion, is transferred to PE 0603211F, Aerospace Technology Dev/Demo, Project 634926 High Speed Systems Integ & Demo.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (6)