What Happened
Competing Adaptive Cycle Engines Clear Assembly Readiness Reviews
GE Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney have both cleared Assembly Readiness Reviews for their competing adaptive cycle engines under the US Air Force’s Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion program. The milestone validates the design and manufacturing maturity of their respective XA102 and XA103 engines, which are competing to power the Boeing F-47. Both companies used digital-first development and model-based definition approaches to connect design, manufacturing, and inspection within a single digital framework. The US Air Force has requested $514 million for NGAP in its fiscal 2027 budget, with the next contract phase expected later this year, as reported by AeroTime.