LE BOURGET - General Electric Company's F110, F404 and F414 engine families have successfully powered fighter aircraft since the 1980s. And yet, these engines have a bright, long-term future through the infusion of new technologies, integration of commercial engine designs, and expansion of aircraft applications worldwide.
F110 engine family
F-16E/F: For almost two decades, GE's F110 engine family has been the best-selling engine for single-engine Lockheed Martin F-16C/Ds worldwide. The latest generation of GE F110 engines powering F-16 fighters, the F110-GE-132, was delivered to the United Arab Emirates in 2003, with first aircraft arriving in country in May of this year. The -132 is also supporting the U.S. Air Force's (USAF) F-16 aircraft used for production line assistance and customer demonstration flights at Lockheed Martin.
The F110-GE-132 was launched in 2000 with its selection for 80 Block 60 F-16 aircraft. The engine is derived from the highly successful F110-GE-100 and F110-GE-129 engines powering 70 percent of the latest-generation F-16C/Ds worldwide. The F110-GE-132 will produce up to 32,500 pounds (144 kN) of thrust, thanks to a new blisk fan configuration, which has fewer parts and higher air flow.
More than 3,000 F110 engines have been ordered worldwide since the engine was first selected by the USAF in 1984.
Service Life Extension Program: The USAF has awarded GE a $57 million contract to upgrade an initial 95 F110 fighter engines for F-16C/D aircraft as part of a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP). Funded in the USAF F110 Component Improvement Program, the SLEP upgrade includes the successful CFM56-7* commercial engine core (which powers the Boeing Next-Generation 737s), 3D aero technology, and a redesigned flowpath with changes to the combustor and high-pressure turbine. The enhancements can help provide up to a 25% improvement in cost-per-flying-hour, a significant time-on-wing increase, and elimination of special inspections.
GE and the USAF estimate the potential savings of SLEP to a USAF fleet of about 800 F110 engines at approximately $1 billion. Available in late 2005, SLEP technology could be incorporated into new F110-GE-129 engines delivered beyond 2006.
F-15K: First flight of the F110-GE-129 for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) F-15K, Boeing's newest fighter aircraft, occurred in March 2005. ROKAF selected the F110 to power 40 new Boeing F-15K aircraft in 2002, launching the popular F110 on the twin-engine application. Seventy-eight of the F110 engines will be assembled through a licensing agreement with Samsung Techwin Co, LTD.
F404/F414 engine family
F404 is one of the most successful fighter engine families in military aviation history. More than 4,000 F404 engines have been delivered, powering F/A-18 Hornets of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, USAF F-117 Stealth Fighters, as well as Hornets for the air forces of Australia, Canada, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain, and Switzerland. F404 derivatives power India's Light Combat Aircraft, Singapore's A-4SU Super Skyhawk, Sweden's JAS 39 Gripen, and Korea's T-50 Golden Eagle. Recent developments include:
JAS 39 Gripen: GE has delivered the first F404/RM12 engine kit to be assembled by Volvo for the first JAS39 Gripen shipped next year to South Africa. That country has ordered 28 of the Saab-produced Gripens. Hungary has committed to lease and buy 14 Gripens from the Swedish Air Force beginning in 2006. The Czech Republic has received six Gripens, with the remaining eight slated for delivery by 2006. The Gripen is also a candidate in fighter competitions of several other countries
T-50 Golden Eagle: The F404-GE-102 derivative continues to power the single-engine T-50 advanced jet trainer/light fighter in a successful flight test program that ends in September. Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) will produce the T-50 Golden Eagle for the ROKAF, which has announced plans to initially procure 94 aircraft. GE is under contract to deliver 27 engines, with the follow-on contract anticipated in 2006. KAI and Lockheed Martin have also formed T-50 International to jointly market the aircraft to potential export customers. Initial production engines were shipped to Korean Aerospace Industries in March.
J-UCAS: GE delivered two F404-102D engines to The Boeing Company as part of the demonstrator technology program for the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) X-45C, Joint Unmanned Combat Air System (J-UCAS). For the X-45C application, the F404 has been enhanced to include single-engine reliability features and FADEC (full authority digital electronic control) system. GE is also assisting Boeing in the development of an advanced exhaust system and has delivered exhaust system components in early 2005
India LCA: F404-IN20 validation testing begins in the third quarter 2005 with initial deliveries of production engines for the India Light Combat Aircraft (Tejas) program scheduled for early 2006. Testing will include validation of the control schedules and all mechanical systems. The engine has generated more than 19,000 pounds (85 kN) thrust during the program. Indian defense officials have ordered 17 engines to power initial Tejas production aircraft and have expressed interest in procuring 50 production engines to power follow-on aircraft.
F414: With 350,000 flight hours, the F414 engine continues to exceed reliability goals with the United States Navy. The F414 powered F/A-18E/F Super Hornet has expanded its presence in the U.S. Navy fleet, with 10 active squadrons available for carrier deployment. In June 2002, the Navy awarded GE a multiyear procurement (MYP) contract for 470 F414-GE-400 engines, bringing orders to a total of over 800 units. To date, more than 500 F414 engines have been delivered in support of the Navy's plan to purchase engines and spares for 559 twin-engine F/A-18E/F and EA-18G aircraft.
GE has continued testing growth versions of the F414, including an advanced core which can provide either a 15% increase in thrust or extended component life at current thrust levels. This configuration uses a six-stage, three-dimensional aerodynamic (3-D aero) high-pressure compressor and an advanced high-pressure turbine. The new compressor increases airflow and efficiency while the advanced turbine has higher temperature capability and improved efficiency.
GE has also completed extensive rig testing of the new high-pressure compressor and a new two- stage advanced fan. Later this year, GE will test this new fan with the advanced core to provide up to 20% more thrust than the current F414. These tests support a growth roadmap that gives customers the option of either increased performance or extended component lives at today's thrust.
In addition to powering the Super Hornet, the F414 has been selected by the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS) as the engine to power the Mako advanced trainer/light combat aircraft.
The F414 is a potential powerplant for growth versions of the Saab/BAE Systems Gripen and India's Light Combat Aircraft (Tejas) as well as the KAI/LMTAS A-50 light fighter, a derivative of the T-50 advanced trainer.
GE offers a full range of aftermarket services for the F414 and currently provides the US Navy with all consumable and repairable components for their F414 Organizational and Intermediate level maintenance facilities.
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.
* CFM56 engines are produced by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between GE and Snecma Moteurs