The JT8D-219 engine will enable a re-engined Joint STARS aircraft to operate with more thrust, while consuming less fuel, compared to the TF33 engines originally installed.
The XCOR team then developed a more powerful engine with an advanced pump-fed fuel system for a larger aircraft now being flight-tested for a commercial customer.
A turboprop handles a larger airflow than any other aircraftengine and so (at low speeds) generates the largest thrust for any given rate of fuel consumption.