GE Military Engine Programs in the Midst of Historic Stretch

Testing on second XA100 adaptive cycle engine prototype begins

F110-powered F-15EX flight test campaign progresses

GE remains confident with two B-52 CERP options

GE’s partnership with the U.S. Air Force stretches back to the service branch’s creation in 1947. Nearly 75 years later, GE remains steadfast in its support of current Air Force programs and has a historically robust suite of technology ready to accelerate innovation and support the Air Force of the future.

XA100 Adaptive Cycle Engine

GE initiated testing on its second XA100 adaptive cycle engine as part of the U.S. Air Force’s Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP) on August 26, 2021. Engine prototypes assembled as part of AETP are designed to fit and integrate directly into the F-35.

“The U.S. Air Force and Congress have invested more than $4 billion in adaptive cycle engine development over the past 14 years to mature its associated technologies. We’re confident this phase of the program will significantly reduce risk and prepare GE for a low-risk engineering and manufacturing development program, consistent with Air Force objectives,” said David Tweedie, GE Edison Works’ General Manager for Advanced Combat Engines. “Getting our second prototype engine into the test cell means we’re one step closer to getting this transformational technology into the hands of the warfighter.”

Testing on the second XA100 will allow GE to continue gathering high-quality test data and further mature the engine’s advanced componentry and revolutionary three-stream design. Once first phase testing is complete in Evendale, GE plans to test the engine at the U.S. Air Force’s Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) to finish out all planned AETP testing activities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PLjjCS4V-A&t=59s
 

XA100 in the News

GE Begins Testing on Second XA100 Adaptive Engine Prototype, As HASC Pushes for Acceleration of AETP, Defense Daily

GE Tests Second Adaptive XA100 Engine, Aviation Week

GE Says New Engine for F-35 Possible by 2027, Air Force Magazine

 

F110 Engine for the F-15EX

Both F-15EX aircraft undergoing Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) out of Eglin Air Force Base rely on GE’s F110—the only certified and in-production engine that powers every Advanced F-15 in service today, including the F-15EX.

Just weeks after the second EX aircraft was delivered to Eglin, both OT&E jets participated in Northern Edge 21, the bi-annual joint training exercise in Alaska. Lt. Col. Weston Turner, director of the F-15 Division at the Air National Guard/Air Force Reserve Test Center, and an F-15EX test pilot who flew in the exercise, reported going “higher and faster than the F-15Cs due to the GE [F110]-129 motors.”

The first eight F-15EX will feature GE F110 power, and GE has submitted its proposal to power the remaining F-15EX fleet.

 

An F110-powered F-15EX takes off at Northern Edge 21 in Alaska. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt Savanah Bray)

More on the F110

Why is GE’s F110-129 the Best Engine for USAF’s F-15EX?

Up Close and Personal with the U.S. Air Force’s F-15EX Eagle II

GE's F110 Earns its Way onto U.S. Air Force F-15s

 

B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement Program

GE is offering two engines proven in the most demanding environments and operating conditions around the globe—the ever-reliable CF34-10 engine and the technologically advanced Passport engine. These two engines offer the lowest program risk, the highest mission readiness, and the lowest cost of operation for the U.S. Air Force.

GE is the only company to have been involved in re-engining U.S. Air Force aircraft three times over and the only company to have experience powering six strategic bombers.

The mainstay of the U.S. strategic nuclear fleet demands rugged, reliable, and commercially-proven equipment to continue to operate from a position of enduring strength for the foreseeable future. GE is the clear partner to ensure the B-52 is ready at all times for the most critical missions.
 

Learn more: B52andGE.com