What is the purpose of implementing fail-safe features in gas turbine design?

Implementing fail-safe features in gas turbine design serves a critical function in ensuring operational safety. The primary goal of these features is to minimize the risk of catastrophic failures during engine operation. With sophisticated machinery like gas turbines, even minor malfunctions can lead to severe consequences, including accidents or engine failure, which can endanger lives and incur significant financial losses.

Fail-safe designs include systems that automatically detect irregularities and take corrective actions, thereby maintaining safe operational conditions. These features ensure that, even in the event of a failure of one part of the engine, the overall system can still operate safely or shutdown safely, thereby protecting the aircraft and its occupants.

Options that suggest enhancing speed, reducing weight, or improving fuel efficiency while important aspects of gas turbine performance, do not directly relate to the fail-safe characteristics that prioritize safety and reliability in critical operational scenarios.