Some Thoughts on Engine Development: An examination of possible future trends in powerplant technology

ANY aircraft development or innovation is news. Where it is specifically or related to powerplant it invariably becomes big news, with the potential of overseas users and national prestige uppermost in the mind. The recent keen competition for engine sales in the American market received due prominence, and with the three contestants all still in the field and sharing the largest order book in aeronautical history, the debut of this new generation of engines is eagerly awaited. Now when a substantial step forward in engine fundamentals and/or manufacturing techniques has been made, the tendency is to suppose that further advance will be small and some way off. But the fascination of the aerospace business is that there is yet no sign of slowing down in the rate of progress, and it is interesting to speculate on what may be around the corner and to ask, what next? A review of development over the last decade is illuminating and provides a lead to further discussion.