High Mach Gas Turbine (HMGT) Engine Design Study

Background
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Propulsion Directorate (AFLCMC/LP) are collaborating on a project to develop a High Mach Gas Turbine (HMGT) engine program aimed at supporting future reusable hypersonic aircraft. The goal of this contract is to initiate the development of the HMGT engine, focusing on conceptual and preliminary design efforts, as well as subsystem/component testing.

Work Details
The contractor will conduct comprehensive architecture development for an HMGT that supports continuous powered operation of a Turbine Based Combined Cycle (TBCC) propulsion system across the entire flight envelope. Key tasks include:

1. Developing technical performance metrics for measuring engine performance and capabilities.
2. Creating a steady state and transient thermodynamic cycle deck in Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS).
3. Preparing an Engine Development Plan that outlines major rig tests, engine tests, and integration tests.
4. Planning a complete design program from Conceptual Design through Engine Testing & Qualification.
5. Estimating costs and timelines for the Preliminary Design program, including detailed modeling and analysis.
6. Establishing a Collaborative Digital Environment (CDE) for information sharing between the proposer and government stakeholders.

Deliverables include architecture definitions, updated requirements, technology development roadmaps, cycle decks, geometry models, weight reports, test plans, and cost estimates.

Period of Performance
Phase IA is expected to last approximately 6 months with total funding around $10 million; Phase IB is anticipated to take about 9 months with funding around $30 million.