The Air Force Research Lab has funded continued development for General Electric Aviation’s work on the Adaptive Versatile Engine Technology (ADVENT) program, the company announced Oct. 20. AFRL expects the program to advance the state-of-the-art in turbine engine technology. GE had worked on ADVENT since its beginning in 2008, providing preliminary and detailed design, analysis, and risk-reduction activities under Phase I. The Phase II effort, expected to run through 2012, will demonstrate several key technologies, including “a hot section featuring ceramic matrix composites, demonstration of a high-pressure ratio core and an advanced variable pressure ratio fan, and GE’s next-generation cooled turbine,” said Jeff Martin, GE’s ADVENT general program manager.
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government shutdown.
