Honeywell to Develop USAF Propulsion Prototype
The U.S. Air Force selected Honeywell Aerospace to develop a prototype propulsion system based on its SkyShot 1600 engine. This engine will be used for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) and other unmanned systems. The move underscores advancements in compact, high-performance engines relevant to high-speed and defense applications.
The SkyShot 1600, formerly known as the HON1600, is designed for unmanned and light aviation platforms, offering reliable and efficient propulsion. Honeywell is targeting the growing Asian market for autonomous aviation with this engine. The engine supports thrust levels from 800 to 2,800 lbs and can function as either a turbojet or turbofan. It's designed for operations up to 40,000 feet and can handle high-G maneuvers. The USAF's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program aims to pair autonomous aircraft with manned fighters. These CCAs will use AI to increase survivability while keeping costs down. The Air Force plans to spend over $8.9 billion on the CCA program from 2025 to 2029. The CCA program is part of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) will test manned-unmanned programs like Autonomous Air Combat Operations (AACO), and DARPA will test its Air Combat Evolution (ACE) AI program.
