This Siemens Phase I project will develop a conceptual design for an advanced high-temperature combustor for gas turbine applications. This development will explore the integration of three advanced combustion system technology concepts -- advanced head end (AHE), distributed combustion system (DCS), and advanced transition (AT). Each building block is to be analyzed and optimized to significantly push the limits of gas turbine inlet temperature while simultaneously ensuring the system operates below metal temperature limits so that future commercial power systems could realistically target combined cycle efficiencies of 65% or greater while achieving low (single digit) nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. Because the key thrust of this project lies in the correct combination of these three seemingly independent technologies, the planned Phase I optimization will be performed using cycle analysis, autoignition and flashback studies, computational fluid dynamics and thermoacoustic modeling which all contribute into the prototype mechanical and aero-thermal design. Cross-optimization of the system as a whole will help ensure prototype designs are practical and ultimately commercially viable. Of note is that this new combustion system combines several technology concepts that were successfully developed under DOE contract DE-FC26-05NT42644.