EVENDALE, OHIO -- An F110-GE-129 engine in the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), being conducted jointly by General Electric Company and the U.S. Air Force (USAF) as part of the F110 Component Improvement Program, achieved a major milestone on October 15 when it successfully completed the Accelerated Mission Test (AMT).
The test adhered to the most severe AMT 2003 endurance profile, which matches the current USAF flying profile as closely as possible. During a total of 1,148 hours of running time, the engine completed approximately 1,333 simulated sorties, including 4,639 total accumulated cycles (TACs) and 8,253 afterburner light-offs.
No shop visits were required throughout the testing, and no issues were revealed by borescope inspection following the testing. The engine is scheduled for teardown for more exacting inspection.
The next milestone, scheduled to begin this month, is flight-testing, first of an F110-GE-100B SLEP engine, then of an F110-GE-129 SLEP engine, powering an F-16 aircraft. A total of 20 flights, involving approximately 30 engine flight-hours, are targeted for completion in February 2005.
GE anticipates implementing SLEP on approximately 800 USAF F110 engines over the next six years, which will translate to an estimated savings of more than $1 billion.
"This is a really significant milestone for us, for it marks significant progress in the program," said Rick Kind, GE manager of F110 Technology Upgrades. "The F110s are engines of proven value, and SLEP technology will serve to enhance their continued outstanding service over many tears to come."
GE Transportation - Aircraft Engines, a part of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is one of the world's leading manufacturers of jet engines for civil and military aircraft.