Hanneke Weitering is a writer and editor with AIN covering advanced air mobility and new flight technologies. She became an aviation journalist and joined the AIN team in the summer of 2022 after reporting on spaceflight and astronomy for six years at Space.com. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she moved to New York City to pursue a master’s degree in science, health, and environmental reporting at New York University&#039;s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She is now based in Seattle near Boeing Field and spends her free time exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest.

Science & Technology Editor

Hanneke Weitering

GE Aerospace and Kratos Turbine Technologies, a division of Kratos Defense &amp; Security Solutions, are launching a joint development program for small turbofan engines to support the next generation of affordable drones and uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft (CCA).
This builds on their effort announced two years ago to produce small turbofan engines for expendable vehicles, starting with the 800-pound-thrust GEK800 for cruise missiles.
Now the partners have revealed plans to produce the GEK1500, a 1,500-pound-thrust engine intended to power reusable aircraft in uncrewed combat applications such as CCAs. The U.S. Air Force's Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative calls for CCAs—also known as “loyal wingman” vehicles—to operate alongside a future crewed fighter platform.
Slightly larger than the GEK800, the GEK1500 is intended “for the lower end of the CCA market,” Steve “Doogie” Russell, v-p and general manager at GE Aerospace Edison Works, said during pre-Paris Air Show media briefing at the company’s Evendale, Ohio headquarters.
The first GEK1500 engine prototype is slated for demonstration in 2026, noted Mark Rettig, v-p and general manager of GE Aerospace’s Edison Works Advanced Programs.
Meanwhile, a GEK800 demonstrator is undergoing testing at GE Aerospace's Evandale facility, and the company is also preparing to build the first production-conforming engine in December or January, according to Craig Young, GE’s executive engineering director for hypersonic propulsion and small UAV engines. He noted that the GEK800 passed a critical design review last month.

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

GE, Kratos Introduce Small Engine for Collaborative Combat Aircraft

The GEK1500 is intended “for the lower end of the CCA market.”

GE Aerospace and Kratos introduce small turbojet engines for the next generation of affordable drones and collaborative combat aircraft.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Manufacturer says maintenance intervals could more than double

Rolls-Royce Launches Trent 1000 Durability Enhancements

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

Partnership will use AmpCool cooling fluid with DovePack battery systems for electric aircraft

Immersion Cooling Could Deliver Lighter, Safer Batteries

Charlotte Bailey

New Admire facility recently opened at the engine and components group’s Bilbao headquarters

ITP Backs R&D Hub To Boost Role as Propulsion Tier One

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

New engineering center of excellence has opened in Wolverhampton, UK

Collins Invests in More Advanced Electric Thrust Reversers

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Canadian start-up is now beginning to assemble full-scale hybrid-electric prototype

Horizon Boosted by Transition Flight with Cavorite VTOL Demonstrator

Curt Epstein

A pre-show tour highlighted both programs

As GE9X Prepares for EIS, GE Aerospace Looks to RISE

HPU 210 uses a Kawasaki motorcycle engine combined with an electric motor and batteries

VoltAero Launches Hybrid-electric Powertrain for Kit-built Aircraft

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Paris Air Show 2025

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