Pratt & Whitney TF30#Variants
{{Short description|American low-bypass turbofan}}
| {{Infobox aircraft begin
|name= TF30 |image= File:Pratt Witney TF30 at Oakland Aviation Museum.jpg |caption= A TF30 in the Oakland Aviation Museum }} {{Infobox aircraft engine |type= Turbofan |national origin = United States |manufacturer= Pratt & Whitney |first run= 1960s |major applications= General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark |number built = |developed from = |developed into = |variants with their own articles = }} |
The Pratt & Whitney TF30 (company designation JTF10A) is a military low-bypass turbofan engine originally designed by Pratt & Whitney for the subsonic F6D Missileer fleet defense fighter, but this project was cancelled. It was later adapted with an afterburner for supersonic designs, and in this form it was the world's first production afterburning turbofan, going on to power the F-111 and the F-14A Tomcat, as well as being used in early versions of the A-7 Corsair II without an afterburner. First flight of the TF30 was in 1964 and production continued until 1986.
Design and development
In 1958, the Douglas Aircraft Company proposed a short-range, four-engined jet airliner to fill the gap below its new DC-8 intercontinental, known internally as the Model 2067. Intended to be marketed as DC-9, it was not directly related to the later twin-engined Douglas DC-9.Connors 2010, p. 341 Pratt & Whitney (P&W) had offered its JT8A turbojet for the airliner, but Douglas preferred to go with a turbofan engine, which would have a greater fuel efficiency than a turbojet. P&W then proposed the JT10A, a half-scale version of its newly developed JT8D turbofan. Development of the new design began in April 1959, using the core of the JT8.http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1968/1968%20-%200018.html TURBOFANS: A Survey of Current Airline Powerplants Douglas shelved the model 2067 design in 1960, as the targeted US airlines preferred the newly offered Boeing 727.Donald 1999, p. 609
In 1960, the United States Navy selected the JT10A, designated TF30-P-1, to power the proposed Douglas F6D Missileer, but the project was canceled in April 1961.[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1962/1962%20-%201026.html AERO ENGINES 1962] Meanwhile, the TF30 had been chosen by General Dynamics for its entrant in the TFX competition for the United States Air Force and USN, which was selected for production as the F-111.Connors 2010, p. 346 The version of the TF30 for the F-111 included an afterburner.
Operational history
=F-111=
File:Pratt and Whitney TF30-P-109 (9697694452).jpg
The F-111A, EF-111A and F-111E used the TF30-P-3 turbofan.[http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/f-111.htm F-111]. Federation of American Scientists. The F-111 had problems with inlet compatibility, and many faulted the placement of the intakes behind the disturbed air of the wing. Newer F-111 variants incorporated improved intake designs and most variants featured more powerful versions of the TF30 engine. The F-111E was updated to use TF30-P-103 engines, the F-111D included the TF30-P-9/109, the FB-111A used the TF-30-P-7/107, and the F-111F had the TF30-P-100.
RAAF F-111Cs were upgraded with the unique P-108 version, using a P-109 engine mated to a P-107 afterburner. The F-111 Engine Business Unit (later taken over by TAE) at RAAF Base Amberley became the world experts on the TF-30 in the years after the USAF retired their fleet and achieved extraordinary increases in reliability of the TF-30.Lax, Mark (2010). From Controversy to Cutting Edge: A History of the F-111 in Australian Service (PDF). Canberra, Australia: Air Power Development Centre. ISBN 9781920800543.
The TF30 proved itself to be well-suited to the requirements of a high-speed low-altitude strike aircraft with a relatively long operational range, and F-111s in all guises would continue to use TF30s until their retirement.
=A-7=
In 1964, the subsonic LTV A-7A Corsair II won the US Navy's VAL competition for a light attack aircraft to replace the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk.Connors 2010, p. 347 The A-7A used a non-afterburning variant of the TF30, which would also power the improved A-7B and A-7C. In 1965, the USAF selected the A-7D as a replacement for its fast-jet F-100 and F-105 supersonic fighter-bombers in the close air support role. Though the USAF had wanted the TF30, Pratt & Whitney was unable to meet the production timetable, because its facilities were already committed to producing other engines. Instead of producing the TF30 under license for P&W, the Allison Engine Company offered to the Air Force its TF41 turbofan, a license-built version of the RB.168-25R Spey.{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1975/1975%20-%200025.html |title=alfa romeo {{!}} fiat {{!}} 1975 {{!}} 0025 {{!}} Flight Archive |website=www.flightglobal.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026134021/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1975/1975%20-%200025.html |archive-date=2012-10-26}} The USAF selected the more powerful TF41 for the A-7D, as did the USN, for its similar A-7E.
=F-14=
File:TF30 turbofan in an F-14A.JPEG
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat with the TF30-P-414A was underpowered, because it was the Navy's intent to procure a jet fighter with a thrust-to-weight ratio (in clean configuration) of 1 or better (the US Air Force had the same goals for the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon). However, due to reliability issues with the intended Pratt & Whitney F401 engines and the intent to incorporate as many of the systems of the failed Navy version of the F-111, the F-111B, into the project, it was deemed that the initial production run of F-14s utilize the F-111B's powerplant. The F-14A's thrust-to-weight ratio was similar to the F-4 Phantom II; however, the new fuselage and wing design provided greater lift and a better climb profile than the F-4. The TF30 was found to be ill-adapted to the demands of air combat and was prone to compressor stalls at high angle of attack (AOA), if the pilot moved the throttles aggressively. Because of the Tomcat's widely spaced engine nacelles, compressor stalls at high AOA were especially dangerous because they tended to produce asymmetric thrust that could send the Tomcat into an upright or inverted spin, from which recovery was very difficult.
The F-14's problems did not afflict TF30 engines in the USAF and RAAF F-111s to nearly the same extent. The F-111, while technically designated as a "fighter," was actually used as a ground attack aircraft and tactical bomber. A typical ground strike mission is characterized by less abrupt changes in throttle, angle of attack and altitude than an air-to-air combat mission. While it can still involve hard and violent maneuvers to avoid enemy missiles and aircraft, these maneuvers are generally still not nearly as hard and violent as those required in air-to-air combat, and the F-111 is a larger and less-maneuverable aircraft. Though the F-14A entered service with the Navy powered by the Pratt & Whitney TF30, by the end of the decade, following numerous problems with the original engine, the Department of Defense began procuring General Electric F110-GE-400 engines and installed them in the F-14A Plus (later redesignated to F-14B in 1991), which entered service with the fleet in 1988. These engines solved the reliability problems and provided nearly 30% more thrust, achieving a 1:1 dry thrust to weight ratio with a low fuel load. The subsequent F-14D, a combination of both remanufactured/upgraded F-14As and new manufacture F-14Ds, also used F110-GE-400 engines.
Variants
File:SNECMA - P & W TF 106 Jet Engine (7362379444).jpg
File:Pratt&Whitney-SNECMA TF306 (1).JPG
;XTF30-P-1:{{convert|8250|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} thrust.{{cite web |title=Aero Engines 1962... |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1962/1962%20-%201026.PDF |website=Flight Global |publisher=Flight International |access-date=20 October 2019 |date=28 June 1962}}
;YTF30-P-1
;TF30-P-1:{{convert|8500|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} thrust, {{convert|18500|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} with afterburner.{{cite web |title=Aircraft Engine Characteristic Summary: TF30-P-1,P-1A |url=http://www.alternatewars.com/SAC/TF30-P-1,_-1A_Turbofan_AECS_-_August_1968.pdf |publisher=NAVAIR |date=August 1968 |access-date=19 October 2019}}
;TF30-P-1A:Similar to -1 with a fuel filter-heater instead of a fuel filter, initially powered first two prototype F-111B.
;TF30-P-2:{{convert|10200|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} thrust, intended to power the F6D Missileer.
;TF30-P-3:{{convert|8500|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} thrust, {{convert|18500|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} with afterburner.
;TF30-P-5
;TF30-P-6:{{convert|11350|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} thrust, powered the A-7A.{{cite web |title=Standard Aircraft Characteristics: A-7A |url=http://www.alternatewars.com/SAC/A-7A_Crusader_II_SAC_-_1_July_1967.pdf |publisher=NAVAIR |access-date=19 October 2019 |date=1 July 1967}}
;TF30-P-6A
;TF30-P-6C
;TF30-P-6E
;TF30-P-7:{{convert|12350|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} thrust, {{convert|20350|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} with afterburner.{{cite web |title=Characteristics Summary: FB-111A |url=http://www.alternatewars.com/SAC/FB-111A_Aardvark_CS_-_January_1976.pdf |access-date=20 October 2019}}
;TF30-P-8:{{convert|12200|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} thrust, initially powered the A-7B/C.{{cite web |title=Standard Aircraft Characteristics: A-7A |url=http://www.alternatewars.com/SAC/A-7C_Corsair_II_SAC_-_April_1972.pdf |publisher=NAVAIR |access-date=19 October 2019 |date=1 July 1967}}
;TF30-P-9:{{convert|12000|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} thrust, {{convert|19600|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} with afterburner.
;TF30-P-12:{{convert|10750|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} thrust, {{convert|20250|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} with afterburner, powered the two pre-production F-111B.{{cite web |title=Aircraft Engine Characteristic Summary: TF30-P-12,P-12A |url=http://www.alternatewars.com/SAC/TF30-P-12,_-12A_Turbofan_AECS_-_August_1968.pdf |publisher=NAVAIR |date=August 1968 |access-date=19 October 2019}}
;TF30-P-12A:Similar to -12 with a fuel filter instead of a fuel filter-heater and deactivated wave-off feature, powered early production FB-111A.
;TF30-P-14
;TF30-P-16
;TF30-P-18
;YTF30-P-100
;TF30-P-100:Redesigned engine, {{convert|14560|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} thrust, {{convert|25100|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} with afterburner, powered the F-111F.
;TF30-P-103:Redesignated -3 upgraded with -100 components under the Pacer 30 program, {{convert|9800|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} thrust, {{convert|18500|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} with afterburner.Lax 2010, p. 245
;TF30-P-107:Redesignated -7 upgraded with -100 components under the Pacer 30 program, {{convert|10800|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} thrust, {{convert|20350|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} with afterburner.
;TF30-P-108:Hybrid of -107 aft section and -109 fore section.Lax 2010, p. 226-227
;TF30-P-108RA:Redesignated -108 when in RAAF service, powered the F-111G.
;TF30-P-109:Redesignated -9 upgraded with -100 components under the Pacer 30 program, {{convert|20840|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} thrust with afterburner.
;TF30-P-109RA:Redesignated -109 when in RAAF service, powered the F-111C.
;TF30-P-408:Similar to -8, {{convert|13390|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} thrust, powered the A-7B/C.
;TF30-P-412:Similar to -12
;TF30-P-412A:Similar to -12A, {{convert|10800|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} thrust, {{convert|20900|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} with afterburner, powered early production F-14A.
;TF30-P-414A:Similar to -412A, powered later production F-14A.
;JTF10A:Company designation for the TF30 family of engines
;JTF10A-1:(XTF30-P-1) Intended to power the Douglas Model 2067.
;JTF10A-6: Intended to power the Douglas Model 2086.
;JTF10A-7:(TF30-P-2)
;JTF10A-8:(TF30-P-6)
;JTF10A-9:(TF30-P-8)
;JTF10A-10
;JTF10A-15:(TF30-P-18)
;JTF10A-16:(TF30-P-408)
;JTF10A-20:(TF30-P-1)
;JTF10A-21:(TF30-P-3)
;JTF10A-27A:(TF30-P-12)
;JTF10A-27B:(TF30-P-12A)
;JTF10A-27D:(TF30-P-7)
;JTF10A-27F:(TF30-P-412)
;JTF10A-32C:(TF30-P-100)
;JTF10A-36:(TF30-P-9)
;Pratt & Whitney/SNECMA TF104:Subsonic TF30 derivative modified by SNECMA, installed in Mirage IIIT and Mirage IIIV-01.{{cite book |last=Wilkinson |first=Paul H. |title=Aircraft Engines of the World 1964/65 |year=1964 |publisher=Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons Ltd. |location=London |edition=20th |page=159}}
;Pratt & Whitney/SNECMA TF106:A derivative of the TF30 to power the Dassault Mirage IIIV VTOL fighter.{{cite book |last=Wilkinson |first=Paul H. |title=Aircraft Engines of the World 1964/65 |year=1964 |publisher=Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons Ltd. |location=London |edition=20th |page=158}}
;Pratt & Whitney/SNECMA TF306C:A derivative of the TF30 tested in the Dassault Mirage F2.{{cite book |last=Wilkinson |first=Paul H. |title=Aircraft engines of the World 1970 |year=1970 |publisher=Paul H. Wilkinson |location=Washington D.C. |edition=21st |page=176 }}
;Pratt & Whitney/SNECMA TF306E
Gallery
File:TF30 Side Cut Turbine Detail.jpeg|Combustion chamber and turbine.
File:TF30 Side Cut Compressor HP.jpeg|High pressure compressor.
File:TF30 Side Cut Compressor.jpeg|Compressor.
File:TF30 Side Cut Compressor LP.jpeg|Low pressure compressor and fan.
File:TF30 Side Cut.jpeg|Cut out of a TF30-P-6
Applications
Specifications (TF30-P-100)
{{jetspecs
|ref= The Engines of Pratt & Whitney: A Technical History.Connors 2010, p. 344–345
|type=Turbofan
|length= {{convert|241.7|in|cm|1|abbr=on}}
|diameter= {{convert|48.9|in|cm|1|abbr=on}}
|weight= {{convert|3985|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
|compressor=2 spool axial: 3 fan and 6 low pressure stages, 7 high pressure stages
|combustion=canannular
|turbine= 1 stage high pressure turbine, 3 stage low pressure turbine
|fueltype=
|oilsystem=
|power=
|thrust= {{convert|14560|lbf|kN|1|abbr=on}}, {{convert|25100|lbf|kN|1|abbr=on}} with afterburning
|compression=19.8
|bypass=0.878:1
|aircon=
|fuelcon=
|specfuelcon=
|power/weight=
|thrust/weight= 6.0
}}
See also
{{Aircontent
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|similar engines=
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References
{{Reflist}}
- {{cite book|last= Connors |first= Jack |title= The Engines of Pratt & Whitney: A Technical History |publisher= American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics |location= Reston. Virginia |year= 2010 |isbn= 978-1-60086-711-8 }}
- {{cite book |editor= Donald, David |title= The Encyclopedia of Civil Aircraft |year= 1999 |publisher=Thunder Bay Press|location= San Diego, CA |isbn= 1-57145-183-8 }}
- {{cite book |last=Lax |first=Mark |title= From Controversy to Cutting Edge: A History of the F-111 in Australian Service |publisher=Air Power Development Centre |location=Canberra, Australia |year= 2010 |isbn=9781920800543 |url=http://airpower.airforce.gov.au/APDC/media/PDF-Files/Historical%20Publications/HIST22-From-Controversy-to-Cutting-Edge-A-History-of-the-F-111-in-Australian-Service.pdf}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20180319044832/http://www.pw.utc.com/TF30_Engine Pratt & Whitney TF30 historical page]
- [https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F60616F63E540C728CDDAA0894DD494D81 "Navy Faults Engine in Female Pilot's Crash", NY Times March 1, 1995]
{{P&W gas turbine engines}}
{{USAF gas turbine engines}}
{{USAF system codes}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pratt and Whitney Tf30}}