Advanced Full Range Engine (AFRE)
Abstract
The Advanced Full Range Engine (AFRE) program will establish the feasibility of a hypersonic aircraft reusable propulsion system through a two-pronged approach. AFRE will demonstrate turbine to Dual Mode Ramjet (DMRJ) transition of a Turbine-Based Combined Cycle (TBCC) propulsion system utilizing an off-the-shelf turbine engine. Large scale components of this complex propulsion system will be developed and demonstrated independently; to be followed by a full-scale freejet TBCC propulsion system mode transition ground test. Accomplishing these objectives will enable future airfield-based hypersonic systems to operate without special logistics considerations, resulting in transformational changes in long range strike, high speed Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and Two-Stage-To-Orbit (TSTO) operations. The anticipated transition partner for this effort is the Air Force.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2021
- Source ID
- d3c0e1549dfe8a4634e3ff2780bd8492