NASA AWARDS HIGH-SPEED PROPULSION CONTRACT

NASA, 20050229 by Barbara Selby, Lori Rachul

As part of the High-Speed Research Program, NASA has signed a $266 million contract with the industry team of GE Aircraft Engines and United Technologies' Pratt & Whitney for work on the critical propulsion component technologies for a 21st century High-Speed Civil Transport (HSCT).

The goal of NASA's High-Speed Research Program is to conduct research that can produce a future supersonic airliner that will be environmentally friendly and will carry passengers at air fare costs very close to that of subsonic airliners.

GE Aircraft Engines, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Pratt & Whitney, East Hartford, Conn., will work together to develop the technology required for the key propulsion components -- ultra-low nitrogen oxide (NOx) combustors, low-noise exhaust nozzles, mixed-compression inlets and low-noise fans.

The eight-year, cost-reimbursement contract will be managed by NASA's Lewis Research Center, Cleveland. The work will be performed at the GE Aircraft plant in Cincinnati; Pratt & Whitney facilities in West Palm Beach, Fla., and East Hartford; and NASA Lewis. Work is already being performed under a letter contract signed in June 1994. This action definitizes that letter contract.

Other companies supporting the GE/Pratt & Whitney team include Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, Seattle; McDonnell Douglas Aerospace, Long Beach, Calif.; and Allison Gas Turbine Division, General Motors Corp., Indianapolis.

The Critical Propulsion Components (CPC) program will use the results of previous and ongoing High-Speed Research propulsion system work to focus this technology program on the most promising engine concepts and on the key technology needs of the HSCT.

The key to a viable future supersonic airliner or HSCT is the propulsion system, officials say. The CPC program will provide a technical foundation that the nation's aerospace companies can use to make intelligent business decisions regarding HSCT.

-end-

NASA press releases and other information are available automatically by sending an Internet electronic mail message to domo@hq.nasa.gov. In the body of the message (not the subject line) users should type the words, "subscribe press-release" (no quotes). The system will reply with a confirmation via E-mail of each subscription. A second automatic message will include additional information on the service.