Rolls-Royce Pegasus

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]

  1. ^ Christopher, Bolkcom (29 August 2005). "F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program: Background, Status, and Issues". Digital Library.
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ Flight 23 April 1964 p. 668

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