Hanwha Aerospace wins contract to develop 10,000-pound-class aircraft engine

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Hanwha Aerospace (Hanwha Aero) will embark on the development of a 10,000-pound (lbf) thrust engine for the first time in South Korea, in collaboration with the Agency for Defense Development (ADD).

Hanwha Aero was selected as the preferred negotiation partner for the "Development of a 10,000-Pound-Class High Bypass Turbofan Engine" project led by the ADD. The total project value is 177.3 billion won, and the development period runs through October 2031.

The project aims to independently develop a turbofan engine with a thrust of over 10,000 pounds using domestic technology for installation on "low-observable reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles."

High bypass ratio technology is also required. The bypass ratio refers to the ratio between the amount of air drawn into the engine and the amount of air that flows around the outside of the engine; a higher bypass ratio is advantageous for improving propulsion efficiency and reducing fuel consumption.

The project is also significant in that it will leverage the core engine technology from the 5,500-pound turbofan engine currently being developed by the ADD and Hanwha Aero. The core engine, which consists of components such as a high-pressure compressor, combustor, and high-pressure turbine, is the central part of an aircraft engine that determines its performance and efficiency.

Through this 10,000-pound-class engine development, Hanwha Aero plans to accumulate expertise in high-temperature heat resistance technology, long-life technology, and lightweight design capabilities. Based on this foundation, the company aims to progressively advance the development of advanced aircraft engines that can be applied to next-generation fighter jets such as the KF-21 Block 3.

A Hanwha Aero official told this outlet in a phone interview, "Through this project, we will develop an independently produced domestic aircraft engine and elevate the thrust and performance of our engines by a notch, while securing the core technologies essential for the phased development of advanced aircraft engines."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.View Original