Pratt & Whitney 新一代自適應循環發動機

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圖片取自：GE Aerospace

美國航空發動機製造商 Pratt & Whitney 正加速研發新一代自適應循環發動機 XA103 adaptive cycle engine，該發動機預計將成為未來第六代戰鬥機的重要推進系統。

Pratt & Whitney is accelerating development of its next-generation adaptive cycle engine, the XA103, which is designed to power future sixth-generation fighter aircraft.

XA103 是美國空軍 Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) 計畫的核心項目之一，目標是打造能在 高推力與高燃油效率之間動態切換 的新型軍用航空發動機。

The XA103 sits at the heart of the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) programme, which aims to develop engines capable of dynamically shifting between maximum thrust and fuel-efficient cruise.

該發動機未來可能用於美國空軍的下一代制空戰機 Boeing F-47，該機為 Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) 計畫核心平台。

The engine could power the Boeing-developed F-47 fighter, the central aircraft within the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) programme.

自適應循環發動機：戰機推進技術的重大躍進

傳統戰鬥機發動機通常採固定循環設計，只能在 高推力或高效率 之間進行取捨。

Traditional fighter engines operate on a fixed cycle, typically optimized either for maximum thrust in combat or fuel efficiency during cruise.

自適應循環發動機則加入 第三氣流通道（third stream），可依任務需求改變氣流路徑，使發動機在不同飛行模式下切換性能配置。

Adaptive cycle engines introduce a third airflow stream that can open or close depending on mission demands, enabling the engine to shift between efficiency-focused and high-power operating modes.

這項技術不僅能提升燃油效率與航程，也能大幅改善熱管理能力，支援新世代戰機所需的高功率感測器、航電與定向能武器。

The technology improves propulsion efficiency, extends range and provides significantly enhanced thermal management to support advanced sensors, avionics and potential directed-energy weapons on next-generation fighters.

數位工程加速發動機研發

Pratt & Whitney 正透過 模型化數位設計（model-based digital engineering） 加速 XA103 的研發流程。

Pratt & Whitney is using model-based digital engineering to accelerate development of the XA103.

透過共享數位設計模型，工程團隊與供應商可更快完成設計迭代、系統整合與製造規劃，大幅縮短開發週期並降低成本。

By sharing digital models with engineers and suppliers, the company can speed up design iterations, improve system integration and optimize manufacturing planning.

目前該計畫已動員 超過 1,000 名工程師與 100 多家供應商 參與研發，下一階段將進入原型組裝與地面測試。

More than 1,000 engineers and over 100 suppliers are involved in the programme, with prototype assembly and ground testing planned later this decade.

與 GE 競逐下一代戰機動力

在 NGAP 計畫中，Pratt & Whitney 的 XA103 將與 GE XA102 競爭未來 NGAD 戰機的主發動機。

Within the NGAP programme, Pratt & Whitney’s XA103 competes with GE Aerospace’s XA102 to power the next-generation NGAD fighter.

這些新型發動機承襲先前 Adaptive Engine Transition Program 的技術成果，並進一步針對第六代戰機需求進行設計。

The NGAP engines build upon technologies demonstrated in the Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP), but are tailored specifically for sixth-generation fighter requirements.

推進技術將決定未來空優戰力

隨著現役戰機逐漸老化，例如 Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor，美國空軍正尋求透過 NGAD 建立新一代制空能力。

As existing fighters such as the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor age, the U.S. Air Force is developing NGAD to maintain future air superiority.

新一代戰機不僅需要更長航程與更高速度，也必須具備支援無人僚機、先進感測器與高能武器的能力，而這些都高度依賴突破性的推進系統。

Future fighters must deliver longer range, higher speed and the ability to support advanced sensors, autonomous wingmen and high-energy weapons—capabilities that depend heavily on next-generation propulsion.

新聞重點摘要

• Pratt & Whitney 正研發 XA103 自適應循環發動機

• 發動機為美國空軍 NGAP 計畫核心技術

• 將可能搭載 NGAD 第六代戰機 F-47

• 技術可在高推力與高效率模式間切換

• 與 GE XA102 競逐未來戰機主發動機