HyTEC (graphic) showing a portion of an engine.
NASA
The Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC) project aims to develop small core turbofan engine technologies to enable fuel burn reductions, additional use of electric airplane systems through power extracted from the engine, and advance engine operability and compatibility with sustainable aviation fuels.
Turbofan engines are the heart of the subsonic transport fleet and a key focus in the Sustainable Flight National Partnership.
NASA is collaborating with industry in cost-sharing arrangements on researching key technologies that could accelerate adoption of small core technology and integrated systems for future single aisle aircraft.
Specifically, HyTEC aims to achieve:
- Fuel burn reduction of 5 to 10 percent compared to 2020 best-in-class turbofan engines.
- Up to 20 percent power extraction at altitude, which is 2-4 times current state of the art.
- Advanced design capabilities for small core combustors to operate effectively and efficiently on high blend (80-100 percent) sustainable aviation fuels.
