Development of the 9.5A (military designation J32-WE-2) began in late 1942, and Westinghouse delivered the first engine to the U.S. Navy in mid-1944. The Navy selected the 9.5A to power the Gorgon II-B and III-B air-to-air missiles, but these applications did not materialize.
An improved version, the 9.5B, powered the Martin TD2N-1 high-speed target drone, which successfully flew in 1945. The engine's high cost and continuing development delays led to the cancellation of the TD2N-1 program in 1946. Westinghouse manufactured 24 of the 9.5A and 20 of the 9.5B engines. Despite their limited use, they constituted the first family of small turbojet engines successfully developed and produced in the United States.
This object is on display in Boeing Aviation Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.
1945
United States of America
PROPULSION-Turbines (Jet)
Aviation Gas Turbine Div., Westinghouse Electric Corp., Philadelphia, PA
Dr. Stewart Way
R. P. Kroon
Type: Turbojet
Thrust: 1,156 N (260 lb) at 34,000 rpm
Compressor: 6-stage axial
Combustor: Annular
Turbine: Single-stage axial
Weight: 63.5 kg (140 lb)
Diameter: 24 cm ( 9.5 in.), Length: 132 cm (52 in.)
A19500103000
Transferred from the U.S. Department of the Navy, Bureau of Aeronautics
National Air and Space Museum
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