Task order NNC17TA42T entitled `electrical & mechanical hybrid distributed propulsion for single-aisle aircraft'. Research opportunities in aeronautics (ROA-2016)-NNH16ZEA001N-AATT1 proposal number…

This is a task order awarded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Glenn Research Center to Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., a foreign-owned, for-profit manufacturer. The 12-month task order, valued at $913,519.00, is for research and development to develop an advanced single-aisle commercial aircraft concept with a target entry into service in 2035. The work is focused on several innovative technologies to improve the aircraft's environmental performance, including wing-embedded propulsion, aft fuselage boundary layer ingestion, and the use of stored electrical energy to enhance gas turbine efficiency and reduce emissions. This task order is issued under the Research and Technologies for Aerospace Propulsion Systems 2 (RTAPS2) indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contract, which provides ongoing research and development support to NASA. The contract does not have a set-aside designation.

Task order NNC17TA42T entitled `electrical & mechanical hybrid distributed propulsion for single-aisle aircraft'. Research opportunities in aeronautics (ROA-2016)-NNH16ZEA001N-AATT1 proposal number 16-aatti-0003 contract NNC15BA07B under task order NNC17TA42T. The objective of this 12-month work is to develop an advanced single-aisle-class commercial transport concept with expected entry into service (EIS) in the midterm timeframe (EIS in 2035 or earlier) where a significant amount of electrical power is used to generate thrust. In particular, the concept vehicle to be developed shall leverage a number of innovative technologies targeting four mechanisms in particular that shall lead to significant improvements in life-cycle carbon emissions, LTO NOX, noise, and mission energy use. First, improvements to lifting surface effectiveness shall be achieved through the use of wing-embedded propulsion. Second, fuselage drag reduction/and propulsive efficiency shall be affected by AFT fuselage boundary layer ingestions. Third, stored electrical energy shall be used to improve gas turbine efficiency by altering the cycle design point for cruise, reduce LTO NOX through takeoff power supplementation, and offset cruise energy requirements for shorter range operations. Fourth, wing-embedded propulsion and AFT fuselage BLI rely on distributed propulsion. This concept shall apply a combination of mechanical and electrical distributed to transfer thrust power from the gas turbine source to the propulsor consumers. This combined power distribution system shall utilize the appropriate means for power transfer based on propulsor proximity to the gas turbine, requirements for RE-configurability and redistribution to reduce one engine inoperable (OEI) adverse YAW, and the desired level of electrical power supplementation. This technology suite shall target realization in the EIS 2035 timeframe. The concept shall be designed to carry a payload of 154 passengers at 200LB per passenger and 0 cargo payload, and shall be capable of operating in the current infrastructure including class C airport operations. IT shall be designed in anticipation of further environmental restrictions by the 2035 EIS date. This vehicle and propulsion system concept shall also include an assessment of the tall pole technologies, operational economics, and top safety and flight certification challenges. Previous investments in the ECO-150R and associated tools shall be leveraged to investigate a mechanical/electrical hybrid propulsion system utilizing embedded wing fans and fuselage AFT boundary layer ingestion. This propulsion system and aircraft system-level integration shall exceed all previously explored ECO-150 concepts and vehicle iterations within and outside of government.