PARIS AIR SHOW - GE's substantial portfolio of military combat engines, upgrade initiatives and new, dynamic technology programs has it well positioned to deliver added capability for 21st century mission demands.
F414: With more than 1,200 F414 engines powering F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft, the F414 continues to prove itself among the world's most versatile turbofan engines.
Progress continues on the F414 Enhanced Durability Engine (EDE), which can provide customers with a cost-wise option to maximize capabilities while delivering significant operational flexibility. It incorporates an advanced all-blisk fan that can generate 10% higher airflow, increase life and provides far greater tolerance to Foreign Object Damage. Its simplified six-stage compressor replaces the previous seven stage configuration for increased durability and offers additional horsepower extraction to meet future electrical load requirements.
The new hot section (combustor and turbine) combines the latest manufacturing techniques and robust materials to achieve up to a three percent fuel burn improvement and significant reductions in maintenance cost. With a modest software change to its FADEC design, the new F414 can deliver up to 20% more thrust and important benefits in operational capability.
The F404/F414 family continues to expand its presence in the international arena. The government of Sweden has announced its intention to procure 60 F414-powered Saab Gripen E aircraft, following an earlier announcement by Switzerland for 22 aircraft. Development activities shifted into high gear as India announced plans to purchase 99 F414-INS6 engines and engine kits to power the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA Mk2) for the Indian Air Force. Earlier this year, pilots from Indonesia – the first export customer for the F404-powered KAI T-50 – took to the skies aboard the Golden Eagle for training exercises.
F110: More than 3,100 F110 engines have been ordered worldwide since initial selection by the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1984, making it the best-selling engine for Lockheed Martin F-16C/D fighter jets. In addition to the USAF, 12 international forces fly F110-powered aircraft.
F110 Engine deliveries begin this year for the Royal Air Force of Oman's 12 new Lockheed Martin advanced F-16 Block 50 aircraft. F110 engines are also enjoying strong momentum in the twin-engine arena. Delivery of engines has started in support of the Saudi Arabian order for 84 new F-15SA aircraft, which was presented April 30 at Boeing St. Louis headquarters. The sale marks the centerpiece of the largest foreign military sale in U.S. history. With these orders, the F110 engine pipeline remains robust into 2017.
In addition, the USAF has approved the -129 for 6,000 Total Accumulated Cycles (TACs) following GE's qualification for both F-16 (F110-GE-129D) and F-15 (F110-GE-129E) applications.
The extension of scheduled intervals from 4,300 TACS to 6,000 TACS represents a 40% reduction in scheduled maintenance visits and reinforces GE's commitment to delivering the most cost-effective engines and optimum F110 readiness.
AETD: GE Aviation completed testing its engine core for the ADaptive Versatile ENgine Technology (ADVENT) program with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory on February 6, 2013, achieving the highest combination of compressor and turbine temperatures ever recorded in aviation history.
Following completion of full engine testing on the Adaptive Versatile Engine Technology (ADVENT) program in the 4th quarter of 2013, GE will continue to mature its adaptive cycle technology through the Air Force's Adaptive Engine Technology Development (AETD) program, which will conclude in 2016 following fan rig testing and a core engine test.
GE Aviation completed the AETD Initial Design Review with the Air Force on February 8, 2013, and continues to progress through preliminary design of the engine on the path to the Preliminary Design Review milestone scheduled for November 2014.
GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings.