Dr. Sam Williams

During long-range missile development in the 1970s, engineers needed an efficient, low cost engine that could successfully power a cruise missile. Dr. Sam Williams' small, fan-jet engine provided the engineers with exactly what they needed.

In 1954, Williams and his team began developing small gas turbine engines for a variety of applications. He then moved on to design small turbojet engines for target and reconnaissance drones, patenting the small fan-jet engine in 1968. The success of the fan-jet engine convinced the U.S. Air Force and Navy that it could be used to propel missiles over long distances at low altitudes. In addition to powering missiles, Williams' engines power business jets including versions of the Cessna Citation and the Raytheon Premier.

Far Electrograph Ultraviolet Camera
Satellite Servicing Techniques
Hydroaeroplane
Space Capsule Design
Retractable Landing Gear; Folding Wing
Rotor Control Mechanism for Rotary Aircraft
Altimeter
Link Trainer/Simulator
Ethyl Gasoline
Flying Wing plane; All-Metal High-Wing Monocoque Airplane (Vega)
Communications Satellite
Spin Stabilized Synchronous Communications Satellite
Turbo Jet
Jet Engine
Supercritical Wing
Small Fan-Jet Engine
Aircraft Propulsion System - Jet Engine