스웨덴 Volvo Aero 社의 RM12 전투기 엔진 성능개량 소식

 

스웨덴 VOLVO AERO 社가 기존의 RM12 엔진에 대해서 약 15% 이상 출력을 향상시킨 20,000 파운드급으로 성능개량을

하고자 한다는 Aviation Week 기사를 소개 합니다.

 

지난 12일부터 16일까지 스웨덴 남서부에 위치한 제2의 도시 Gothenburg 에서 개최되고 있는 국제항공엔진학회 학술대회

(ISABE 2011) 에서 VOLVO AERO 측이 밝혔다는 내용 입니다.

 

3단계로 이루어지는 RM12 엔진의 성능개량 계획은 Saab 社의 Gripen 전투기의 추가 생산 및 Gripen NG 의 수출 여부와

연동되어 이루어질 것으로 예상되는, 현재로써는 기사 제목에서 처럼 제작사측의 roadmap 으로 이해되는 기사 입니다.

 

참고로 RM12 엔진은 美國 GE 社의 F404 엔진을 VOLVO AERO 社가 개량한 것으로써 Saab Gripen 전투기에 장착, 운용

되고 있습니다.

 

한편 ISABE 2011 은 국제항공엔진학회 (International Society for Airbreathing Engines) 가 격년제로 주관하는 학술대회

로써 올해가 20회째이며, 2013년 9월에 개최되는 21회 ISABE 는 대한민국 부산에서 개최될 예정 입니다.

 

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Volvo Unveils Upgrade Road Map For Gripen Engine

Aviation Week.com, 09/13/2011

Author : Guy Norris

 

As part of efforts to extend the life of the Gripen’s RM12 engine program, Volvo Aero has revealed details of a multiphase upgrade plan that could see overall thrust increased to more than 20,000 lb.

 

The engine, originally derived from the General Electric F404, currently generates a maximum thrust of 18,100 lb. and has been upgraded over the past decade with a full-authority digital engine control (Fadec), a beefed-up front frame and a new afterburner flame holder design. Under the study, unveiled at the International Society of Air Breathing Engines meeting here, Volvo is outlining a three-phase plan that increases thrust incrementally by up to 15%.

 

The initial step would be a made by a relatively simple change in the Fadec scheduling software. Called the mission-dependent takeoff thrust option, this would provide up to a 4% increase in thrust and would be available for operations from shorter runways, or takeoffs with a higher payload or higher temperatures. Volvo says to retain the existing life of the hot section, a corresponding decrease in turbine temperatures will be applied for less-demanding missions.

 

The second step would be focused on increasing turbine inlet temperature by “well over 100 K,” the engine maker says, generating an additional 7% thrust increase. This would be achieved without penalizing engine life by improving cooling flows, using new single crystal alloys in the high- and low-pressure turbines and by employing improved thermal barrier coatings. The turbine improvements would leverage upgrades developed by GE for the F404.

 

The ultimate step, building on the initial phases, would entail a 7.5% increase in the total mass flow through an extensive redesign of the blade and vanes in the fan. Volvo Aero project leader Torbjorn Salomonson says the changes could be made by re-blading the existing design, or developing an all-new three-stage fan module. Both options would fit within the existing engine envelope, and while the new fan design would generate the most improvement it would also be more expensive, he adds. “There would be no major change in cycle, though there would be a temperature rise in the compressor that we’d need to take care of and in the afterburner.”

 

Details of the plan, including the possible development of a fan demonstrator program, are dependent on the level of interest from the Swedish Defense Material Agency, Swedish Air Force and Saab, among others. “We’ve had discussions with them but no decisions have been made,” Salomonson says.

 

Henrik Runnemalm, head of research at Volvo Aero, says the effort also would help maintain combat engine expertise at a time when RM12 activity is now reduced to spare parts production only. “We can upgrade the 220 engines that the [Swedish] Air Force already has while maintaining engine competence within the country. From a financial perspective, it is a good thing that the RM12 can be further developed so that investments in the RM12 engine made by Gripen users can be fully realized. The average flight time is currently around 700-800 hours per engine. The remaining life per engine is up to four times this,” he adds.

 

 

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