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Turbojet aircraft engine From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Pratt & Whitney J52 (company designation JT8A) is an axial-flow dual-spool turbojet engine originally designed for the United States Navy,[2] in the 40 kN (9,000 lbf) class. It powered the A-6 Intruder and the AGM-28 Hound Dog cruise missile. As of 2021[update] the engine was still in use in models of the A-4 Skyhawk.
J52/JT8A | |
---|---|
A J52 cut-out showing its two spools | |
Type | Turbojet |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Pratt & Whitney |
First run | 1955 |
Major applications | Douglas A-4 Skyhawk Grumman A-6 Intruder Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler |
Number built | >5,000[1] |
Developed from | Pratt & Whitney J57 |
Developed into | Pratt & Whitney JT8D |
The engine is the basis for the Pratt & Whitney JT8D, a popular civilian low-bypass turbofan engine.
The J52 was developed in the mid-1950s for the US Navy as a scaled-down derivative of the J57/JT3A.[3] It was initially intended to power the A4D-3 Skyhawk, an advanced avionics model that was canceled in 1957. After being canceled, the U.S. Air Force selected the J52 to power the AGM-28 Hound Dog cruise missile. The engine was designed with several unique features for this application, including a "conical centerbody mounted in the intake" and a "variable central plug ... in the nozzle".[4] Then, in 1958, the US Navy selected the engine to power what became the A-6 Intruder.
The J52-P-6 model, designed for the YA2F-1 (YA-6A) Intruder, had a unique nozzle that could be angled downward at 23 degrees for STOL takeoffs; this was not used on production A-6s. Returning full circle, the J52 was selected to power the A4D-5, another model of the A-4 Skyhawk, remaining in all subsequent new-built models.[5]
The twin-spool J52 employs a split 12-stage axial compressor consisting of a five-stage low pressure unit and a seven-stage high pressure unit. Behind the compressor is a nine-unit can-annular combustion chamber and a two-stage split turbine.
In 1960, U.S. Air Force's Strategic Air Command (SAC) developed procedures so that the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress could use the Hound Dog's J52 engine for additional thrust while the missile was located on the bomber's two pylons. This helped heavily laden B-52s fly away from their airbases faster, which would have been useful in case of nuclear attacks on the bases. The Hound Dog could then be refueled from the B-52's wing fuel tanks.[6]
Data from Flight [14]
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