Heavy Fuel Engine for A160

Program Manager: Mr. Phil Hunt

Overview

The Heavy Fuel Engine for the A160 program will develop and demonstrate a heavy-fuel, lightweight, and efficient engine for the A160 air vehicle. In the future, heavy fuel (diesel or JP-8) will be the only logistic fuel for the battlefield. Conventional heavy-fuel engines are too heavy for air vehicles and, at the desired size, not efficient enough. Innovative and advanced diesel engine designs are being developed to achieve both efficiency and a significant reduction in weight. The engines will enable the A160 to achieve maximum range and endurance while operating on diesel fuel. Detailed design, fabrication, and testing is being conducted to assess engine performance and reliability. The A160 Engine Development technology is planned for transition to the Army at the conclusion of Phase III, which is anticipated to be completed in 2007.

Program Plans

• Complete prototype engine performance and endurance testing.
• Perform engine design optimization based on lessons learned from build and test.
• Demonstrate performance and reliability of optimized engines at 38% efficiency, a power to weight ratio of 0.9hp/lb, and producing 450 hp at 15,000 ft.

Last Updated: 4/13/06