Aerospace & Defense Technology - December 2023 - 36

Application Briefs
gyroscope to undergo space qualification and is expected to be
the first atomic inertial sensor to operate in space.
To rapidly prototype the technology, DIU focused on validating
the core technology in mission-relevant environments
while avoiding overly prescriptive design requirements.
Despite supply chain challenges and other COVID-19
complications, Vector Atomic went from a paper design to
delivery in about two years. For Estep, the quick turnaround
from design to delivery for space, particularly for a novel
instrument, is quite an achievement. This speed is necessary
when the objective is to transition the technology to address
operational gaps.
Gyroscopes measure rotational motion, a critical function
for drones, ships, aircraft, satellites, and even consumer electronics,
and make up a multibillion-dollar per year market. An
atomic gyroscope uses atoms and precise laser interactions to
act as rulers to discern angular rates, compared to current stateof-the-art
approaches that rely on photons (i.e., light). Atoms,
in principle, are massive and slow in comparison, and thus, the
effects on them are more apparent when experiencing rotation.
The added sensitivity and precision offered by the quantum
inertial sensor means reducing positional error, and most
importantly, the reliance on external PNT signals provided
from systems like GPS.
" Quantum inertial sensors are not only scientifically intriguing,
but they also have direct defense applications, " said Lt. Col. Nicholas
Estep, the Technical Program Manager for the effort. " If we can
field devices that provide a leap in sensitivity and precision for
observing platform motion over what is available today, then
there's an opportunity for strategic gains across the DoD. "
Getting quantum sensors out into the wild has not happened
overnight, however. " This project represents decades of investment
by the Department of Defense, particularly DARPA, into
quantum based inertial sensors. It is so exciting to see the capabilities
come to fruition, thanks to this development push from DIU
and funding support from OUSD R&E amongst many other agencies, "
said John Burke, PhD, Principal Director of Quantum Science,
Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering.
DIU's quantum inertial sensor project doesn't stop with the
demonstration of the atomic gyroscope in space. The next phase of
the project will include the demonstration of a fully integrated
atomic inertial measurement unit (IMU), composed of independent
accelerometers and gyroscopes to sense motion along all
degrees of freedom. The IMU is a building block of inertial navigation
solutions to platforms, regardless of domain.
Further information regarding this spaceflight demonstration
to be published at a later date.
www.DIU.mil
New CFM56 High Pressure Turbine Blades
CFM International
Cincinnati, OH
513-552-3272
www.cfmaeroengines.com
C
FM International has introduced a new design for High-Pressure
Turbine (HPT) blades featured on the CFM56 engine,
one of the most widely used engines on thousands of in-service
commercial and military aircraft, including the Airbus A320
and the Next Generation Boeing 737. Leveraging millions of
hours of field data, the updated design includes " increased wall
thickness, optimized dovetail loading, and tightened manufacturing
tolerances, " according to an Oct. 17 update.
The new HPT blade is being rolled out by CFM for CFM565B/-7B
engines and maintains the fuel burn benefit achieved
with the CFM56 Tech Insertion blade configurations launched by
the GE Aerospace-Safran Aircraft Engines joint venture in 2007.
" These upgraded CFM56-5B/-7B HPT blades are designed to
keep our customers flying with OEM parts they know and
trust, " said Jacey Welsh, CFM Executive Vice President - CFM56
at GE Aerospace. " Many of our customers are transitioning
their narrowbody fleets and the new CFM56 HPT blade can
help them to extend time on-wing to optimize cost of ownership
and enhance the residual value of their engines. We are
also providing attractive upgrade options to customers operating
older CFM56 configurations. "
According to a blog post published by GE Aerospace, the CFM56
engine has been delivered to an estimated 600 commercial and
36
military operators globally, with 24,000 currently in service. Nearly
half of the 24,000 CFM56s in-service have yet to require their
first visit to a maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) facility,
according to CFM.
Mounted in the core of the engine, high-pressure turbine blades
spin at thousands of RPM in temperatures hot enough to melt
wrought iron, turning the shaft that powers the fan at the front,
GE notes. As one of the most complex parts in the CFM56, the
blade is in high demand.
" This blade is one of the most technically challenging parts of
the engine to manufacture, " says Tom Levin, VP of CFM commercial
programs for GE Aerospace.
A Greenville, North Carolina manufacturing plant where
CFM56 parts are produced makes 2,000 blades a week, according
mobilityengineeringtech.com
Aerospace & Defense Technology, December 2023
http://www.DIU.mil http://www.cfmaeroengines.com http://mobilityengineeringtech.com
Aerospace & Defense Technology - December 2023

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