Cycle Considerations for Tactical Fighters in the Early 1990’s

The requirements for tactical fighter aircraft in the early nineties will call for improved maneuverability from current fighters, as well as shorter takeoff and landing distances, reduced radar cross-sections and IR signatures, and supersonic persistence. Also, the cost of procurement, operation and maintenance of the engine (LCC) will be a significant parameter in determining the type and performance of the next fighter engine. Each of the above requirements has an effect on the engine cycle to be chosen for the next fighter engine. The sum of these effects should result in a specific engine cycle which best answers all of the aircraft needs, but the effects of these requirements tend toward diverse cycles. This paper addresses these issues and presents a comparison of cycles that meet the anticipated requirements for tactical fighter aircraft in the early nineties. The paper also compares the usage of such aircraft in peacetime training to the design mission in combat.