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I think all of these comments make sense, but the obstacles are more numerous than one might imagine at first.P&W and Williams will not redesign anything and set up separate assembly lines unless they have a firm multi-thousands units order. But it's hard to get firm order for something if you don't have the right engine for it, so it's kind of a chicken and egg situation.The Gremlin engine requires air-start capability over a wide envelope, and if it's re-usable, it ideally wouldn't be a pyrotechnic device (which is preferred in 'throwaway' cruise missiles using engines like the F107). Lubrication is also a challenge since most engines use a total loss system, and the current capacity is not designed for something like 12 hours of flight. The last item concerns power generation for the sensors. The stated requirement of 1.2kW is way more than cruise missiles demand. A bigger generator would be required, and i wonder if the engine cycle would be ok with a much increased drain.Anyway, at the end of each flight you'd have to refurbish the engine, which may be unsustainable.If the air force were willing to fund engine development, it may be a different story. I think there is a need for small UAV gas turbines for both Gremlins and other programs such as AFRL's LCAAT.
I think all of these comments make sense, but the obstacles are more numerous than one might imagine at first.
P&W and Williams will not redesign anything and set up separate assembly lines unless they have a firm multi-thousands units order. But it's hard to get firm order for something if you don't have the right engine for it, so it's kind of a chicken and egg situation.
The Gremlin engine requires air-start capability over a wide envelope, and if it's re-usable, it ideally wouldn't be a pyrotechnic device (which is preferred in 'throwaway' cruise missiles using engines like the F107). Lubrication is also a challenge since most engines use a total loss system, and the current capacity is not designed for something like 12 hours of flight. The last item concerns power generation for the sensors. The stated requirement of 1.2kW is way more than cruise missiles demand. A bigger generator would be required, and i wonder if the engine cycle would be ok with a much increased drain.
Anyway, at the end of each flight you'd have to refurbish the engine, which may be unsustainable.
If the air force were willing to fund engine development, it may be a different story. I think there is a need for small UAV gas turbines for both Gremlins and other programs such as AFRL's LCAAT.
