A Step Forward for the GT50 Programme

Using our Rufus 3 rig at PC1, the team has been focused on setting up and refining the combustion process.

We have now reached a point where:

• combustion is stable and continuous within the combustion chamber
• early aerodynamic instabilities have been eliminated
• early aeroacoustic instabilities have been resolved
• the combustor is operating as intended

In practical terms, this means the programme is moving from early setup and troubleshooting into a more refined optimisation phase.

What We Have Achieved So Far

The current combustor configuration is already demonstrating the core behaviours we were aiming for in this stage of testing.

Stable ignition and operation

The combustor now:

• ignites well
• remains stable in operation
• cross-lights effectively
• runs well across the rich limit to the lean limit

That combination is a strong indicator that the underlying combustion process is working properly and consistently.

What Still Needs Refinement

Although the current results are highly encouraging, there is still some optimisation to complete. The team is therefore focused on:

• improving fuel-air mixing
• refining the primary zone of the combustion chamber
• bringing combustion behaviour closer to the desired operating condition

This is now a matter of tuning and optimisation rather than solving fundamental issues.

The Next Phase of Testing

With the combustor now around 90% of the way to the required standard, the next stage is to push the system harder under more demanding conditions.

That will include testing at:

• higher temperatures
• higher pressures
• increased fuel flow
• conditions representative of higher power settings

These next tests will help confirm that the combustor can perform comfortably and safely in the conditions required for the first GT50 engine.

Why This Matters

Early combustion testing is one of the most important phases in any turbine engine development programme. Reaching stable, continuous combustion while resolving initial instabilities gives the team a solid foundation for the next steps.

At this point, we are no longer trying to prove whether the combustor can work. Instead, we are focused on refining how well it works as we prepare for more advanced engine testing.