GE FLADE Engine

Sundog

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FLADE Engine patent.

It's shown installed in what looks like an X-47A configuration. I wonder if this type of engine allows them to generate more electrical power than a standard engine, since that seems to be one of the limiting factors in UAV/UCAV systems atm.
 
The X-47 figure may be intended to kill two birds with one stone; increased power generation as a retrofit to existing engine designs along with a integrated forced air cooling heat exchanger (which may or may not use the main inlet and main exhaust to reduce skin openings...)

The real takeaway is the inline engine hollow aft body independent shaft driven by a (secondary?) afterburner combustor driven aft FLADE structure. This essentially allows one to divert afterburner power between raw thrust and auxiliary power for other systems mostly independent of core engine operation. The obvious use of an inline generator apparatus in the aft plug means you can cut down on APU parts and weight (no compressor, common controls) and be able to draw power on demand, useful for directed energy weapons and perhaps some radars (the double generator figure is perhaps the most relevant, since one generator would be on continuously, while the second high power generator is clutched on during afterburner power extraction operations). They also show a right angle mechanical power takeoff drive option as well, which would be interesting for VTOL fans (like the wing embedded ones frequently seen in VTOL UAV/UCAV concepts) since the JSF has largely validated the shaft driven secondary lift fan concept for most people.


I wonder how small you can go with this? The Excalibur UAV with it's electric VTOL fans could easily benefit from an engine like this.
 

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