The potential impact of utilizing advanced engine technology for a combat capable unmanned air vehicle (UAV)

This paper evaluates the potential impact of utilizing advanced engine tech nology for a limited life, combat capable, unmanned air vehicle (UAV) appli cation. A study was conducted to define payoffs in terms of mission capabil ity and system level life cycle costs (LCC) associated with implementing th ree different engine development approaches into a combat capable UAV desig n. The three different approaches considered were: a new, advanced technolo gy engine; an existing (off-the-shelf) engine; and a derivative of an exist ing engine with limited technology insertion. A detailed vehicle configurat ion design was developed to conduct this assessment, including a low observ able (LO), highly integrated engine/airframe layout for survivability: and mission adaptable considerations. The vehicle is designed with multirole mi ssion capability such as suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD), close air support (CAS), and battlefield air interdiction (BAI). A system level perf ormance comparison is assessed with the three different engine approaches s pecifically for the SEAD-type mission. For the cost analysis, the multirole mission capability is reflected in the overall assumptions such as in the number of aircraft needed to meet the mission requirements. A system level assessment such as in this study is essential in determining,whether the ad ditional costs associated with the development of a new, advanced engine is worth the investment. The results of this study suggest that advanced engi ne technology insertion cart provide significant benefits in terms of missi on I range capability vehicle weight/size, and overall life cycle costs ver sus an existing engine.