The Air Force Research Laboratory announced Thursday that it will continue to sponsor teams from General Electric and Rolls-Royce into the next phase of its ADVENT advanced technology development program for next-generation turbine engines, based on the results of two years’ work during phase I. “We have two unique technology approaches that will each bear fruit in the future,” said AFRL Commander, Maj. Gen. Curt Bedke. AFRL said it has notified Rolls-Royce’s LibertyWorks advanced concept shop in Indianapolis to complete its technology demonstrator engine development and testing during phase II and called on GE to continue with its technology demonstrator core development and testing, along with selected critical component risk-reduction activities.
In the Space Force’s push to increase its consumption of commercial satellite capabilities, satellite communications stands out as the template. The question now is how broadly the Space Force will look to leverage additional SATCOM providers.