The Price Induction DGEN model 380 turbofan engine rolled into the NASA Glenn Aero-Acoustic Propulsion Laboratory on the back of a flatbed truck recently to see if the small engine could be successfully used to test engine noise reduction concepts proposed by researchers.
Evaluating concepts on a small engine is much cheaper than the larger version. If the specialized testing on this small engine works, researchers will move on to test the much larger engines of a commercial airliner service. NASA Glenn is a leader in engine aircraft noise reduction research. The purpose is to benefit the public by helping American manufacturers produce engines that provide more comfortable flights and less annoying aircraft noise in communities surrounding airports.