PHOENIX, Ariz. - Honeywell International Inc. has been awarded a $19.8 million contract by the U.S. military to spearhead the Aggressive Embedded Propulsion Operability (AEPO) program.
Under the contract, Honeywell will develop advanced computational tools and specialized design processes for fan modules tailored specifically for embedded propulsion installations. These tightly integrated engine architectures are designed to reduce the radar signatures of stealth combat aircraft while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency. The AEPO program could mitigate the severe aerodynamic penalties incurred when turbofan engines are located deep within an airframe, including non-uniform airflow and extreme inlet distortion. Conventional curved air intakes often create highly chaotic airflow patterns at the engine’s fan. That can reduce engine performance, trap excessive heat, and trigger engine stalls.
Honeywell's computational tools will focus on safely expanding the engine's operational envelope, maintaining stable stall margins, and managing complex thermal loads to preserve safety margins during high-performance flight. The software and modeling advancements derived from the AEPO program could also support development of adaptive cycle engines, which allow a pilot to adjust airflow to transition between fuel-efficient loitering and high-speed combat maneuvers.
Work on the defense contract will take place entirely in Phoenix, with engineering milestones and testing slated for completion in October, 2030.
