Aerospace engineering students are learning about new technology thanks to the donation of an F-100 Pratt & Whitney jet engine from the Iowa Air National Guard.

“An engine like the F-100 is enormously sophisticated, it represents … an apex of human accomplishment,” said Tom Shih, professor and chairman of aerospace engineering.

Shih first contacted the National Guard about obtaining an F-100 for learning purposes after seeing one on display at a Lego competition in January 2004, an event designed to teach youth about science and technology.

“There was an F-100 engine going to salvage,” Lt. Col. Dyann Edwards said.

Shortly after, the engine was presented to Iowa State. Shih said a new F-100 engine would be worth $2 million, but the engine Iowa State received was used previously on an F-16 fighter aircraft. He said even though the engine is not brand-new, it is sophisticated.

“This one is mainly a fighter aircraft,” said Alric Rothmayer, professor of aerospace engineering.

He said the engine is similar to a commercial airline jet engine. The main difference is military engines have smaller and faster fans.

Technical Sgt. Rob Maroc said the F-16 is a “jack of all trades.” The aircraft is used for dropping bombs and shooting down enemy planes, he said.

Maroc said the donated F-100 engine was built in the 1980s and was used only in the U.S. Air Force. The donated engine is serviceable and, with the right equipment, can still work. Edwards said the engine has no value for the National Guard.

“We’re in a different generation of engine,” she said.

Maroc said the engine would have sat for five to 10 years before being sold. He said tax dollars are better spent for educational purposes.

“ISU can get a lot of use and teaching out of it,” Maroc said. “I think it’s a much better use of the asset.”

Shih said the primary use for the F-100 engine will be for teaching. Graduate students may use the engine for open-ended research. Undergraduates may use the engine at the learning center and for class. The new technology in the engine offers a new learning perspective for students.

“We want our students to learn the importance,” Shih said. “We hope to use this engine in our courses.”

Rothmayer said the class Aerospace Engineering 411, Jet Engine Propulsion, will be learning with the engine.

“The focus of the class is modeling,” Rothmayer said.

He said instead of looking at pictures and overheads, students can see a three-dimensional structure of an engine.

Shih said students will be able to cut the engine open to see the detail components.

This is first engine donated to Iowa State since he started in 1985, Rothmayer said. Older aircraft, from World War I and World War II, are in the Howe Hall museum, he said.

He said the older jets have similar basic structures, but a lot of refinements have been made with modern aircraft.

In the future, Rothmayer said he hopes other companies within the industry will donate aircraft.

“They’re very generous and we appreciate that,” Shih said.