Air Force Research Lab has given a $300 million contract to Rolls Royce’s LibertyWorks unit in Indianapolis to develop the Adaptive Versatile Engine Technology program leading to a next-generation propulsion system that will operate over a broad range of altitudes and speeds without sacrificing fuel efficiency. AFRL calls the ADVENT program “the next big step in turbine engine technology.” Rolls Royce has contributed technology to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter engine and other advanced engine programs. Phil Burkholder, COO for LibertyWorks, says that his unit and AFRL “will deliver some lasting changes that will dramatically reduce fuel consumption.” The Air Force expects work to be completed by September 2012.
An important U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry AWACS command and control plane was among the aircraft damaged in a March 27 Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine.