The F-16 Common Engine Bay

In 1979 the United States Air Force elected under the Engine Model Derivative Program (EMDP) to explore derivative engine concepts by the General Electric Company and the Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Division of United Technology Corporation with the objective of improving engine durability and reducing engine ownership cost for future procurements of their first line fighter engines. Concurrently, General Dynamics was invited to develop the necessary airframe/engine interface definition to assure engine compatibility with the airplane requirements. This EMDP development culminated in 1981 with the Alternate Fighter Engine (AFE) competition with General Electric proposing the F110-GE-100 engine and Pratt and Whitney Aircraft proposing the F100-PW-220. Both engines were placed in Full Scale Development and both met the USAF objectives of 4000 TAC cycle life and improved engine cost and warranty for application to the F-15 and F-16 fighters. General Dynamics evolved the concept of the Common Engine Bay which has all aircraft interfaces compatible with either AFE engine and the current Pratt and Whitney Aircraft F100-PW-200 engine. The original F-16 nacelle design, with minor modification of the interfaces and engine mount structure, was adapted to permit full interchangeability for the F100-PW-200, F100-PW-220, or the F110-GE-100 engines. Design requirements were set to permit a common airplane with no break in the production line or aircraft model change and with appropriate simple kits to permit interchangeability of any of the three engines in the field at the organizational level. This manufacturing capability allows the USAF the flexibility to conduct subsequent competitive procurement of the engine.