Barbara Selby

Headquarters, Washington, D.C.

September 9, 1994
(Phone: 202/358-1983)

Lori Rachul
Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio
(Phone: 216/433-8806)

RELEASE: 94-150

NASA AWARDS HIGH-SPEED PROPULSION CONTRACT

As part of the High-Speed Research Program, NASA has signed a

$266 million contract with the industry team of GE Aircraft Engines
and United Technologies' Pratt & Whitney for work on the critical
propulsion component technologies for a 21st century High-Speed Civil
Transport (HSCT).

The goal of NASA's High-Speed Research Program is to conduct

research that can produce a future supersonic airliner that will be
environmentally friendly and will carry passengers at air fare costs
very close to that of subsonic airliners.

GE Aircraft Engines, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Pratt & Whitney,

East Hartford, Conn., will work together to develop the technology
required for the key propulsion components -- ultra-low nitrogen oxide
(NOx) combustors, low-noise exhaust nozzles, mixed-compression inlets
and low-noise fans.

The eight-year, cost-reimbursement contract will be managed

by NASA's Lewis Research Center, Cleveland. The work will be
performed at the GE Aircraft plant in Cincinnati; Pratt & Whitney
facilities in West Palm Beach, Fla., and East Hartford; and NASA
Lewis. Work is already being performed under a letter contract signed
in June 1994. This action definitizes that letter
contract.

Other companies supporting the GE/Pratt & Whitney team include

Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, Seattle; McDonnell Douglas
Aerospace, Long Beach, Calif.; and Allison Gas Turbine Division,
General Motors Corp., Indianapolis.

The Critical Propulsion Components (CPC) program will use the

results of previous and ongoing High-Speed Research propulsion system
work to focus this technology program on the most promising engine
concepts and on the key technology needs of the HSCT.

The key to a viable future supersonic airliner or HSCT is the

propulsion system, officials say. The CPC program will provide a
technical foundation that the nation's aerospace companies can use to
make intelligent business decisions regarding HSCT.

-end-

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