# Revolutionary Propulsion Technology Development

**R-2A activity** of project 623066 — Turbine Engine Technology  
**Program element:** 0602203F — Aerospace Systems Technologies  
**Component:** U.S. Air Force · **Budget Activity:** 2  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0602203F/623066/a1  
**Parent:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0602203F/623066

## Summary

This activity requests $33.3M in FY2027, 40% of project 623066, up 12% on FY2026. The R-2A exhibit describes it across FY2026–FY2027, including what the FY2027 money is planned to buy.

## What the FY2027 request buys

**FY2027 planned work.** Continue evaluation and integration of ramburner rotating detonation engine (RDE) technology. Activities include: -Completion of characterization testing of volume-efficient RDE diffuser concepts -Release of preliminary versions of rapid design RDE computational fluid dynamics codes -Design, fabrication, and testing of novel RDE configurations to explore potential performance improvements -Demonstration of mission relevant integrated RDE design in a direct connect test Continue fan tip generator configuration in future platforms. Activities include: -Experimental characterization of 2nd generation fan tip generator Complete studies in reducing the overall time required for engine development and design cycle a more responsive design times. Activities include: -Completing Concept Design & Military Utility Analysis (MUA) of new advanced propulsion concept -Completing assessment of Digital Engineering Level maturity for internal design process -Assessing digital engineering methods identified in the detailed research plan to shorten the conceptual engine design and vehicle integration time. -Delivery and review of rapid MBSE developed conceptual design models and their generated data Commence and complete design study of variable fan and compressor blades for viability assessment in enabling convertible engines. Activities include: -Variable fan and compressor blades design study. Commence compressor testing for high speed weapons development. Activities include: -Compressor testing

**FY2026 to FY2027 change.** FY 2027 compared to FY 2026 increased by $3.523 million due to the acceleration of technology development for advanced, air-breathing rotating detonation engines in tactical form factors for long-range, responsive, affordable weapons.

## Before the request year

**FY2026 plans — current year.** Continue evaluation and integration of ramburners rotating detonation engine (RDE) technology - Fabricate and test RDE with a subsonic inlet diffuser to assess inlet distortion on integrated performance; - Design, fabricate and test RDE instrumented for quantification of the vibrational environment; - Demonstrate of staged fuel/air RDE injector at scale and relevant conditions; and - Design, fabricate and test of actuated nozzle assembly coupled to scale RDE operated in a water-cooled thermal management arrangement. Continue studies in reducing the overall time required for engine development and design cycle a more responsive design times - Review relevant digital engineering methods identified in the detailed research plan - Conceptual design modifications to commercial off the shelf engines for military application. Complete evaluation of advanced augmentors. Complete studies for exploration of advanced propulsion technologies. - Studies enable initial cycle study on convertible engine. Complete studies in hypersonic combined cycles. Complete analysis of Air Breathing Propulsion Technologies. - Operational benefits and military utility Commence fan tip generator configuration in future platforms. - Experimental characterization of disruptive propulsion. Commence and complete Detailed Design Review of external bearing turbine engines for disruptive propulsion for future platforms. Commence and complete rig testing to advance development of flight ready high-speed engine components.

## Funding

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 18.6 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 29.7 |
| FY2027 | Request | 33.3 |

> Prior, current and budget year only — an R-2A activity carries no five-year plan. It sums exactly into its project in the request year and not necessarily in any other.

## Other activities in project 623066

- [Mission Optimized Air Breathing Propulsion Technology Development](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0602203F/623066/a0) — FY2027 41.5
- Aerospace Fuel Technology Development — FY2027 8.5
- Turbine Engine Components — FY2027 0.0
- Turboshaft/Turboprop and Turbofan Engine Technologies — FY2027 0.0
- Engine Technologies for Autonomous Vehicles and Munitions — FY2027 0.0
- Combustion Technologies — FY2027 0.0
- Diagnostic Technologies — FY2027 0.0
- Bearing Technologies — FY2027 0.0
- Lubricant Technologies — FY2027 0.0

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Air Force RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibit R-2A, PE 0602203F project 623066 (PB PB2027). Narrative is the government's own text.
- **No marks, no contractors at this grain** — congressional marks land on the program element and R-3 performers on the project.
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_activity`.

*HitchAI is an independent intelligence service, not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense. Budget figures are requests/estimates, not obligations.*