| J58 Engine | |||||||||||||||||
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Engine
Characteristics
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The basic Pratt and Whitney J-58 engine had its early beginnings in late 1956. When Lockheed and Pratt and Whitney got together to identify the engine and airframe parameters for the SR-71, the enormous advances in technology that had to be developed became apparent. The engine inlet had to be capable of sustaining temperatures in excess of 800 degrees F under certain conditions; the fuel inlet temperatures would reach 350 degrees F at times; fuel temperature would reach 600 to 700 degrees F; lubricating temperatures would vary from 700 to 1,000 degrees F in some localized parts of the engine. |
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| The J-58 engine was every bit as innovative as the aircraft. It was the first dual cycle engine put into service. At subsonic and transonic speeds it was a standard, single-spool turbojet engine, and it essentially transitioned to a ramjet engine around Mach 2. In fact, at cruise, the rotor of the engine actually has a small negative thrust load on the engine. Other significant features of the J-58 engine include: first and only engine rated for continuous afterburning; engine oil can withstand 550 degrees F without degradation; first use of fuel as hydraulic fluid; extensive use of high temperature nickel and cobalt alloys; and use of metals seals on plumbing joints. In full afterburner, each J-58 engine produced more horsepower than the ocean liner, the Queen Mary produced. | |||||||||||||||||
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| © Copyright Richard Graham | |||||||||||||||||
