Honeywell Selected by U.S. Air Force for Prototype Engine Design for Collaborative Combat Aircraft

­Honeywell announced that the U.S. Air Force has awarded it a prototype contract for the design of a propulsion system for an autonomous aircraft, building off Honeywell’s new small-thrust-class engine: the SkyShot 1600.

The SkyShot 1600 engine is designed for use in collaborative combat aircraft, and its flexible architecture allows it to be adapted for various mission profiles in either a turbojet or turbofan configuration, making it a versatile solution for modern military operators.

Honeywell was awarded an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) Project Agreement by SOSSEC, Inc. to support the Air Force’s Propulsion Directorate under the Propulsion Consortium Initiative 2.0 (PCI 2.0), OTA No. FA8626-24-9-0005, between the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) and SOSSEC, Inc.

“We’ve combined decades of proven technologies with the latest advancements to create an engine that can keep pace with cost, speed and performance demands of next-generation platforms,” said Dave Marinick, president, Engines and Power Systems, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. “We look forward to supporting the U.S. Air Force in the next phase of collaborative combat aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems propulsion efforts.”

The SkyShot 1600’s key features include:

• Thrust Range: The SkyShot 1600 engine supports thrust levels from 800 to 2,800 pounds and can be configured as either a turbojet or turbofan, with scalability for additional thrust as required. 
• Maneuverability: The engine is designed to meet rigorous G-level performance requirements, enabling it to effectively reach maneuvering targets.

Honeywell is employing design and manufacturing innovations to enable expedited output of the SkyShot 1600 and efficient, cost-effective production. For example, advanced digital modeling techniques allow for faster design, rapid evaluation of performance and smoother integration with air vehicle systems. These innovative techniques will also help reduce production timelines and enhance supply chain resilience.

Learn more about the SkyShot 1600 here.