The role of class III UAVs is becoming prevalent for high altitude DOD operations.Turbine engine concepts, capable of long lives and reliability, with minimal maintenance, high fuel efficiency, altitude capability, low noise, operating in austere environments, produced at low cost are required.Spytek proposes to use its newly developed J302-GMX-2 200 lbt turbojet developed under a SOSSEC/LCMC contract, modifying it with advanced ceramics in the hot section for improved performance. The J302 engine leverages low cost engine build technologies to produce a low cost turbo-jet engine. The focus of the SOSSEC engine development is producibility and low cost manufacture with maximized performance.Target unit costs are $16,800.The project objective for this Phase I SBIR is a study/manufacture/test effort to apply advanced materials and coatings to improve the engine efficiency, boosting temperature capability, and durability of the engine. This includes low cost and high performance, design concepts and technologies such as ceramics and TBCs in the engine combustor/turbine and possibly TBCs in the compressor, creating an innovative 200+ lbt turbine engine propulsion system for class III Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) taking advantage of higher turbine inlet temperatures and possibly higher overall pressure ratio (OPR) for maximum efficiency.gas turbine engine,Ceramic Turbines,Inter-Turbine Burner,Thermal Barrier Coatings
