The United States has successfully tested the GE XA100 adaptive cycle engine, a 6th generation fighter engine, which successfully met its test criteria.
The GE XA100 will also be used on the fifth-generation F-35A and C fighters, boosting their thrust capability by 10% and fuel efficiency by 25%.
In addition to the traditional low-pressure bypass turbo, the adaptive-cycle engine features an additional side stream that increases fuel efficiency and acts as a heat sink for cooling.
This increased cooling and power generation could allow for the potential use of directed energy weapons in the future and when additional thrust is needed, air from the third stream can be directed to the core and fan streams, providing greater thrust.
