General Electric J73

The General Electric J73 is a turbojet developed by General Electric from the earlier J47 engine. Its original United States Air Force designation was J47-21, but variable inlet guide vanes, a double-shell combustor case and 50 percent greater airflow led to the new J73 designation. To raise airflow the accessories were moved from the centre of the compressor inlet to the underside, the combustion area was enlarged into a cannular arrangement with a two stage turbine, and a low boost tailpipe augmentation afterburner was fitted. Its only operational use was in the North American F-86H Sabre, with the J73-GE-3 rated at 9,200 pounds-force. Four J73 engines were also converted in 1957 to use heat from a nuclear reactor in place of jet fuel, and were tested at the Atomic Energy Commission national reactor testing station.