Honeywell Aerospace has been awarded a prototype contract by the U.S. Air Force to design a propulsion system for an autonomous aircraft based on its new small-thrust-class SkyShot 1600 engine.
The effort will support propulsion development for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Increment 2.0 and other unmanned aircraft systems.
The contract was awarded through an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) Project Agreement by SOSSEC, Inc. to support the Air Force’s Propulsion Directorate under the Propulsion Consortium Initiative 2.0 (PCI 2.0), OTA No. FA8626-24-9-0005, between the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) and SOSSEC, Inc.
The SkyShot 1600 has been developed for CCA and features a flexible architecture that allows it to be configured as either a turbojet or turbofan, enabling adaptation for different mission requirements and platforms.
The engine supports thrust levels ranging from 800 to 2,800 pounds and has been engineered to meet demanding G-level performance requirements, enabling aircraft to effectively engage maneuvering targets. Its design also allows for scalability to provide higher thrust if required.
Honeywell Aerospace is applying advanced design and manufacturing innovations to accelerate development and production. Digital modeling techniques enable faster design cycles, rapid evaluation of performance, and smoother integration with air vehicle systems. These methods are intended to shorten production timelines, support efficient and cost-effective manufacturing, and enhance supply chain resilience.
Dave Marinick, President of Engines and Power Systems at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, commented, “We’ve combined decades of proven technologies with the latest advancements to create an engine that can keep pace with cost, speed and performance demands of next-generation platforms. We look forward to supporting the U.S. Air Force in the next phase of collaborative combat aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems propulsion efforts.”
