The Adaptive Engine Transition Program Will Revolutionize Combat Aircraft Performance (from The National Interest)

American air power is critical to mission success – it provides precision strike, rapid logistics, detailed reconnaissance and air dominance while denying those advantages to adversaries. It is essential that the U.S. continue to advance its air power to outpace future threats. One way the Air Force Research Laboratory is supporting the improvement of air power is by investing in revolutionary propulsion technology with the Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP).

The Adaptive Engine Transition Program aims to transform the performance of jet engines by designing and testing multiple 45,000-pound-thrust turbofan engine prototypes. The program’s goal is to improve the engine’s fuel efficiency by 25 percent, increase the thrust by 10 percent and reduce engine heating. Improving jet propulsion allows for more sorties to be accomplished with greater range using the same amount of fuel.  I have written a commentary for The National Interest here.