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-


     NASA press releases and other information are available
automatically by sending an Internet electronic mail message to
domo@hq.nasa.gov.  In the body of the message (not the subject line)
users should type the words, "subscribe press-release" (no quotes). 
The system will reply with a confirmation via E-mail of each
subscription.  A second automatic message will include additional
information on the service.