Development of the Next Generation Gas Turbine Based Jet Air Start Unit for the US Navy

Abstract

Main powerplants for aircraft in the US Navy inventory typically require a source of pneumatic power in order to initiate the engine start sequence. The equipment which is used as the source for this power is termed “UNIJASU”, or Universal Jet Aircraft Start Unit. UNIJASU is a fully self-contained, transportable source of ground power which may be adapted to both land or carrier-based operations. At the nucleus of this unit is a modified T53 aircraft gas turbine, originally developed and fielded by the Lycoming Turbine Engine Division of Stratford Conn. In the current application, the T53 has been re-configured as a gas generator with specific provisions for extensive operation in a marine environment. Using the bleed machine concept, up to 30% of the engine massflow (equating to roughly 420 air horsepower) can be delivered to an aircraft starter upon demand. The present production source for the T53 engine is the AlliedSignal Engine Company, located at Phoenix, Az. As of the writing date (mid-1997), the US Navy is in the process of procuring its next generation air start units via contract to AlliedSignal. This paper describes the salient features of a rigorous two-phase development program starting with the initial adaptation of the aircraft turbine engine to a naval ground power unit, and culminating with over 6000hrs of system level testing, inclusive of actual field evaluations.