Westinghouse, one of the world’s biggest manufacturers of steam turbines, was selected by the U.S. Government in July 1941 to build the X19A axial turbojet, only the second such engine to run outside of Germany. Later development of the Westinghouse 9.5A (military designation XJ32-WE-2) began in late-1942, with the first engine delivered to the U.S. Navy in mid-1944. The Model 9.5A (9.5-inch diameter) was selected to power the Gorgon II-B and III-B air-to-air missiles, but these airframe applications did not materialize.

An improved version, the 9.5B, which powered the Martin TD2N-1 high-speed target drone, successfully flew in August 1945. However, due to the engine's high cost and continuing engine development delays, the TD2N-1 program was canceled in March 1946.

A total of twenty four 9.5A and 20 9.5B engines were built and, although never widely used, these engines comprised the first family of small turbojet engines successfully developed and produced in the United States.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Date Circa 1944 Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Turbines (Jet) Manufacturer Aviation Gas Turbine Div., Westinghouse Electric Corp., Philadelphia, PA
 Physical Description Type: Turbojet Thrust: 1,156 N (260 lb) at 34,000 rpm Compressor: 6-stage axial Combustor: Annular Turbine: Single-stage axial Weight: 376.8 kg (830 lb) Dimensions 3-D: 132.1 × 25.4 × 48.3cm (4 ft. 4 in. × 10 in. × 1 ft. 7 in.)
 Materials HAZ MAT: Cadmium
Non-Magnetic White Metal
Ferrous Alloy
Plastic
Rubber
Paint
 Inventory Number A19610080000 Credit Line Gift of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Aviation Gas Turbine Division Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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