| Pegasus / F402 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Rolls-Royce Pegasus on display at the Royal Air Force Museum London | |
| Type | Turbofan |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | Rolls-Royce |
| First run | September 1959 |
| Major applications | Hawker Siddeley Harrier BAE Sea Harrier McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II |
| Number built | Over 1,200 (through 2008) |
| Developed from | Bristol Siddeley Orpheus |
The Rolls-Royce Pegasus is a British turbofan engine originally designed by Bristol Siddeley. It was manufactured by Rolls-Royce plc. The engine is not only able to power a jet aircraft forward, but also to direct thrust downwards via swivelling nozzles.[1] Lightly loaded aircraft equipped with this engine can manoeuvre like a helicopter. In particular, they can perform vertical takeoffs and landings.[2] In US service, the engine is designated F402.
Originally the Bristol Siddeley Pegasus, the engine powers all versions of the Harrier family of multi-role military aircraft. Rolls-Royce licensed Pratt & Whitney to build the Pegasus for US built versions. However Pratt & Whitney never completed any engines, with all new build being manufactured by Rolls-Royce in Bristol, England. The Pegasus was also the planned engine for a number of aircraft projects, among which were the prototypes of the German Dornier Do 31 VSTOL military transport project.[3]
- ^ Christopher, Bolkcom (29 August 2005). "F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program: Background, Status, and Issues". Digital Library.
- ^ "Air Cadet Publication 33: Flight – Volume 3 Propulsion" 282 East Ham Squadron – Air Training Corps Archived 23 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine. (2000). Accessed 14 October 2009.
- ^ Flight 23 April 1964 p. 668