EVENDALE, Ohio - GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE), the U.S. Air Force (USAF) Materiel Command (AFMC) and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) have signed a Strategic Supplier Alliance to improve support of GEAE engines installed in the tactical and strategic military aircraft in service around the world.
The alliance agreement, which is part of the U.S. Department of Defense's initiative to improve force readiness, will focus specifically on leveraging the strengths of AFMC, DLA and GEAE to improve forecasting, material supply and inventory, and supply chain management for all GE engines in use by U.S. forces around the world.
The new agreement builds on GE's long-standing relationship with the DLA and USAF. In 1999, GE signed the industry's first "corporate contract" with the USAF at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center at Tinker Air Force Base to manage the entire F110 supply chain for the USAF.
"We are pleased to extend our relationship with the Air Force Materiel Command and the Defense Logistics Agency," said Russ Sparks, vice president and general manager, military engines for GEAE. "We will equip our forces with the most reliable and ready equipment to defend our country's interests."
GE's F110 engine family powers the USAF's front-line, combat-ready F-16C/Ds deployed outside the continental U.S., as well as F-16/CD aircraft with U.S. allies worldwide. Since the F110 was first offered for the F-16C/D in 1984, GE has been selected the majority of the aircraft ordered.
The F110 provides higher performance, improved reliability, and reduced operation and support costs. More than 2,700 F110 engines have been ordered worldwide for the F-16C/D, F-14, F-15, and the Japanese F-2 fighter aircraft.
The F110 engine was derived from the proven core engine of the GE F101 engine, which powers the USAF B-1 bomber. The F118, a F110 derivative engine, powers the USAF's B-2 bomber and U-2S spy plane. GE is teamed with Roll-Royce to develop the F136 for the Joint Strike Fighter.
GEAE, a division of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is the world's leading manufacturer of jet engines for military and civil aircraft, including engines produced by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company of Snecma Moteurs of France and GE. GEAE also manufactures gas turbines, derived from its highly successful jet engine programs, for marine and industrial applications. In addition, GEAE provides comprehensive maintenance support, through its GE Engine Services operation, for GE and non-GE jet engines in service throughout the world. Visit GEAE online at www.geae.com.