Targeting a thrust range of 800-1,500lbf, the new turbofan is intended to capitalise on surging demand for small, low-cost jet propulsion.
Engine maker Pratt & Whitney (P&W) has revealed a new developmental turbofan intended to power the burgeoning category of uncrewed fighter jets.
Speaking at the Farnborough air show, the head of P&W’s military engines business said the Valox family of powerplants will target an output of 800-1,500lbf (3.6-6.7kN). That is the range specifically in demand by the US Air Force (USAF) for its new “FQ” class of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs).
“The Pratt & Whitney Valox engine will really be purpose-built for the different missions, for high-performance propulsion, at the speed and the scale that our customers are asking for,” says Jill Albertelli.
The USAF has issued tens of millions of dollars in development contracts to engine makers over the past year for the development of new CCA propulsion. P&W’s Gatorworks received $10 million in funding to mature the design that became the Valox 1500, according to Albertelli.
Competitors including Honeywell, GE Aerospace and a separate joint venture between GE and Kratos also received funds to advance concepts for CCA engines around 1,500-1,600lbf. GE and Kratos have put forward the GEK1500, while Honeywell is offering the SkyShot 1600.
Both GE and Rolls-Royce are also receiving Pentagon funding to develop a larger class of medium-thrust turbofans for the USAF’s CCA Increment 2 effort. Rolls-Royce is using its proven AE series, while GE is working on a new GE426 that will target an output of 4,000-6,000lbf.
In addition to government-supported work on the Valox 1500, P&W has also been self-funding development of a smaller Valox 700, which Albertelli says is intended to power effectors like small cruise missiles and drones.
“We’re making great progress on this engine family,” Albertelli says.
An even smaller powerplant – one of the company’s PW500 commercial business jet engines – currently powers Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48 Talon Blue prototype CCA.
With the USAF, US Navy and US Marine Corps are all looking to field uncrewed fighters in significant quantities over the coming decade, the potential market for both aircraft and propulsion is booming. That interest is supplemented by additional demand in Europe, Asia and Australia.
While the portfolio of available CCA engines is increasingly crowded, Albertelli thinks the market is sufficient to support all the new products.
“Demand is significant,” she says, “and we want to be there for our customers any way we can.”
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