Hypersonic Technology Project (HTP)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Research Center (LaRC) intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source, General Electric Aviation (GE Aviation), under the authority of FAR 6.302-1. NASA LaRC has a requirement to develop composite components and engine technologies related to hypersonic flight. These technologies must survive the extreme pressure and temperature environments of hypersonic flight. GE Aviation will fabricate Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC) using either processing method, melt infiltration (MI) or chemical vapor infiltration (CVI), and conduct hypersonic engine development for research turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC) technologies in support of hypersonic research at NASA Langley. GE possesses proprietary processes that utilize a combination of in-house composite assembly, densification, and machining that allows for the fabrication of aerospace components that are used in high-temperature/pressure environments. GE and NASA will utilize the GE proprietary database to design both silicon carbide/silicon carbide (SiC/SiC) and carbon/silicon carbide (C/SiC) structures, so NASA LaRC will not need to develop those material databases ahead of time. NASA Langley also has a requirement to research/analyze the GE F-101 turbofan engine’s suitability for use on the Aether concept vehicle. To make the NASA design feasible with existing flight proven technology, the HTP project team utilized the F-101-GE-102 turbofan engine and its affiliated design characteristics as it is solely capable of a speed regime matching the Aether design approach currently being used at NASA. The GE F-101 turbine engine is the only high-Mach (Mach 2+) flight proven turbine engine (with augmentor) that has the fan bypass duct ratio required for acceleration of the Aether vehicle up to the ramjet takeover point. Additionally, due to ITAR restrictions associated with the Aether effort, the necessary turbofan engine must come from a U.S.-based company. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released it will be synopsized in beta.sam. It is the potential vendor’s responsibility to monitor this site for the release of any solicitation and synopsis. Any questions you may have are to be submitted in writing, via email, to be used for consideration in the development of the requirements. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited.