Development of a High-Heat-Release Combustor for the F100 Gas Turbine

Abstract

The F100 turbofan engine is a twin-spool, augmented engine [89,000–133,000 Newton (20–30,000 lb) thrust range] that powers the McDonnell-Douglas/Air Force F-15 air superiority fighter. The F100 was developed jointly with the Navy F401 engine. These engines have a common core (gas generator). The success of these advanced high thrust/weight engines is, in part, the result of the development of a short, annular, high-heat-release rate primary combustor, which has a low temperature pattern factor, high combustion efficiency, and low pressure loss. The F100’s combustor uses conventional sheet metal louver cooling to minimize cost and weight, airblast fuel nozzles and combustor swirlers to atomize the fuel, and a dump diffuser to reduce the compressor air exit Mach number.