Aerospace Propulsion

Aerospace Propulsion is a research and development effort within the Air Force aimed at developing propulsion and power technologies critical to the Department of the Air Force. The program has six projects, each focusing on specific technology areas essential for achieving enabling and revolutionary aerospace technology capabilities. These projects include Advanced Propulsion Technology, Combustion and Mechanical Systems, Turbine Engine Technology, Aerospace Power Technology, Missile Rocket Propulsion, and Aerospace Fuel Technology. The primary objectives of these projects are to develop high-speed air breathing propulsion engines, engine mechanical system technologies, turbine engine technologies for enhanced performance and affordability, electrical power and thermal control technologies for military applications, advances in rocket propulsion technologies, and evaluation of fuels and related technologies for legacy and advanced turbine engines.

The Advanced Propulsion Technology project within Program PE 0602203F focuses on developing combined/advanced cycle air breathing high-speed and hypersonic propulsion technologies to provide revolutionary propulsion options for the Air Force. This includes the development of hydrocarbon-fueled engines capable of operating over a broad range of flight Mach numbers. The project aims to improve performance, operability, durability, scalability for future platforms through modeling, simulations, proof of concept demonstrations of critical components, advanced component development, and ground-based demonstrations. Additionally, it involves the development of design and analysis techniques and tools as well as experimental approaches to enable enhanced high-speed air induction system starting, operability, and performance for propulsion integration concepts over a wide range of flight conditions.

The Combustion and Mechanical Systems project within Program PE 0602203F evaluates lubricants, mechanical systems, and combustion concepts for advanced turbine engines, rotating detonation engines, and combined cycle engines. The project aims to develop technologies that increase turbine engine operational reliability, durability, mission flexibility, maintainability, and performance while reducing weight, fuel consumption, and cost of ownership. This includes the development of component technologies for future conceptual engine cycles and architectures that provide optimized performance and fuel efficiency for widely varying mission needs. Additionally, it supports evaluation of technologies for future conceptual cycles.

These efforts are coordinated through the Department of Defense (DoD) Science and Technology (S&T) Executive Committee process to harmonize efforts and eliminate duplication. The program may include necessary expenses to support the operation and maintenance of facilities to manage science and technology capabilities in addition to civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver science & technology capabilities.