The U.S. Air Force (USAS) has awarded Honeywell a prototype contract to design a propulsion system for an autonomous aircraft, based on its new small thrust-class engine, the SkyShot 1600.
The SkyShot 1600 is intended for use in collaborative combat aircraft. Its flexible architecture enables adaptation across a range of mission profiles in either turbojet or turbofan configuration, providing a versatile propulsion solution for modern military operators.
The award was made under an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) Project Agreement granted by SOSSEC, Inc. in support of the Air Force’s Propulsion Directorate through 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 supports thrust levels from 800 to 2,800 pounds and can be configured as either a turbojet or turbofan, with scalability for higher thrust outputs as required. The engine is engineered to meet demanding G-force performance requirements, enabling effective engagement of manoeuvring targets.
Honeywell is applying advanced design and manufacturing innovations to accelerate development of the SkyShot 1600 and enable efficient, cost-effective production. These include digital modelling techniques that facilitate faster design cycles, rapid performance evaluation and smoother integration with air vehicle systems. Collectively, these approaches are intended to shorten production timelines and strengthen supply chain resilience.
