Air Force Eyes Advanced Propulsion Tech with Program Worth Up to $16B

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center propulsion directorate wants to rapidly develop and field new engine technologies in the coming years, and plans to use a new, $16 billion contract vehicle to do so, according to a March 13 notice. 

The service plans to select a pool of companies to compete for task orders under the indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract vehicle, called the Advanced Propulsion Acquisition Contract, or APAC. The solicitation calls for proposals for everything from technology development to sustainment to production and fielding.

“The Advanced Propulsion Acquisition Contract is designed to provide the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Propulsion Directorate with the capacity to: rapidly develop technology for novel propulsion technologies; implement unique solutions and innovative ideas; advance new technologies and system concepts that provide evolutionary, revolutionary, and disruptive capabilities for the United States Air Force and strategic partners; and enable a rapid response applicable to all areas and lifecycle phases of propulsion development,” the notice states. 

The Air Force notes that the effort doesn’t have dedicated funding yet and no contracts will be awarded until it does. It plans to use “future Air Force, inter-agency, and outside agency funding,” but doesn’t specify which organizations or existing program lines might support the contract. Proposals are due April 13; the service plans to select multiple providers and offer opportunities for new firms to join the contract after two years. 

While the solicitation doesn’t spell out the propulsion technologies or platform applications APAC may support, the Air Force has a number of modernization efforts underway that might benefit from the effort.

The service is working on Increment 2 of its unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, and firms large and small have pitched ideas for compact propulsion systems, including some that use 3D-printed parts and digital design technologies. Just last month, the Air Force awarded multiple design contracts for future CCA propulsion systems.

The contract could also be used to field upgrades or innovative sustainment concepts for existing aircraft.

The Air Force in recent years has invested significantly in advanced propulsion technologies for combat platforms, largely through its Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion program and its predecessor, the Adaptive Engine Transition Program. Both efforts could power future platforms like the F-47 fighter. 

Last year, USAF awarded a total of $7 billion to Pratt & Whitney and GE Aerospace through NGAP to mature technology and reduce risk for the future propulsion systems.