FARNBOROUGH - Development of the F110-GE-132 engine, the highest-thrust fighter engine for F-16C/D aircraft, is progressing on schedule with the first qualification engine slated for testing later this year.Derived from the highly successful F110-GE-100 and F110-GE-129 engines powering F-16s worldwide, the F110-GE-132 will produce 32,500 pounds (144 kN) of thrust or operate at 29,000 pounds (129 kN) thrust-the current rating for Block 50 F-16s-and increase engine life up to 50 percent. The F110-GE-132 takes advantage of GE Aircraft Engines' extensive technology base, including: a long-chord, blisk fan derived from the F118 engine (B-2 bomber) and F414 engine (F/A-18E/F), a radial afterburner derived from the F120 engine (JSF) and F414 engine, and a composite outer fan duct based on the F404/F414 engines. The higher-thrust F110-GE-132 was launched in March with its selection by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force and Air Defense for 80 Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 60 aircraft. "With the F110 engine family already powering the majority of F-16C/Ds worldwide, the growth engine further positions us for future Block F-16 buys as well as for upgrading Block 50 F-16s already in operation," said Russ Sparks, vice president and general manager of GEAE's Military Engines Operation. The F110-GE-132 development already is more than 50 percent complete, including successful aeromechanical ground testing and bird ingestion testing. The radial afterburner has accumulated 4,300 cycles with no signs of distress. Later this year, a F110-GE-132 qualification engine begins performance and operational testing at GEAE's Evendale, Ohio, facility, followed by altitude testing at Arnold Engineering Development Center in Tullahoma, Tennessee. Those tests are expected to be completed in early 2001. The engine is scheduled to undergo and complete endurance testing in 2001, as well. Flight testing and full engine qualification are slated for 2002.More than 2,200 F110 engines have entered service since the original F110-GE-100 was introduced in 1986. The F110-GE-129 was introduced in 1992.