Aircraft Gas Turbine Engine Fuel Pumping Systems in the 21st Century

Abstract

Since their introduction, main engine fuel pumping systems for aircraft gas turbine engines have remained relatively unchanged. The main engine fuel pump has been an engine accessory gearbox driven, positive displacement pump (except for the Concorde), until recently when centrifugal pumps were introduced on Pratt-Whitney and General Electric military engines. This paper describes some of the issues that must be addressed as pumping system technology moves into the 21st century and gives a description of two programs that address these issues.