PRESS RELEASE 94-47

Immediate 
Lori J. Rachul
(Bus: 216/433-8806)
<h3>NASA Lewis Research Center Awards High-Speed Propulsion 
Contract</h3> Cleveland, OH -- NASA Lewis Research Center today 
announced the signing of a $266 million contract to the industry team 
of GE Aircraft Engines and United Technologies' Pratt & Whitney for 
work on the critical propulsion components 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 operate at air fare costs levels 
very close to 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 
oxides (NOx) combustors and 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, Ohio. The work will be performed at 
GE Aircraft Engines plant in Cincinnati; Pratt & Whitney facilities 
in East Hartford and West Palm Beach, Fla.; 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 utilize 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. The CPC Program will provide a technical 
foundation that the nation's aerospace companies can use to make 
intelligent business decisions regarding HSCT.



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