Variable-Cycle Gas Turbine Engine for Small Unmanned Aircraft

Case ID:

2020-003

BACKGROUND

Continually and rapidly evolving unmanned aircraft system (UAS) requirements for commercial applications and military strategic and tactical battlefield have obviated simple modifications to existing platforms. However, new requirements demand increased performance in terms of longer range and endurance, faster flight speeds, increased payload capacity, reduced noise emissions, and a smaller launch and recovery footprint. Thus, there is a critical need to develop advanced variable cycle engine and aircraft technologies that are versatile and scalable.

SUMMARY OF TECHNOLOGY

Researchers at OSU have developed a variable-cycle gas turbine engine for small unmanned aircraft. This propulsion system has two modes: one is a turbojet for rapid climb, acceleration, or high-speed flight; the other is a turboprop for higher fuel efficiency, low-speed flight. This technology locks the propeller shaft with the turboprop exhaust used for jet propulsion; but when the more efficient flight mode is needed, the system can unlock the propeller shaft in-flight and switch to the turboprop mode. The versatility of operation created by this system makes it able to fulfill multi-role missions such as carrying or delivering payloads, or surveillance. The reduced vibrations relative to other unmanned aircraft offers another advantage to surveillance flight, with a higher range and endurance than battery-powered UASs.