LYNN, Mass. -- The U.S. Navy announced it has exercised its 2009 option for the procurement of 90 GE F414 turbofan engines for the U.S. Navy and ordered 26 GE F414 turbofan engines for the Royal Australian Air Force. Engine deliveries for this contract option are scheduled to occur during 2010 and early 2011.
GE Aviation and the Navy signed a multiple-year contract in 2007 for delivery of up to 384 F414 engines and modules to support the Navy's planned procurement of twin-engine F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers. The agreement included four option years that could result in engine deliveries continuing into 2012 and bring the total value of the contract to more than $1.5 billion. The parties have also agreed the U.S. Navy is authorized to issue orders for quantities that exceed 384 F414 engines under this contract.
"We appreciate the Navy's continued confidence in the F414" said Tony Mathis, general manager of Turbofan/Turbojet Engines at GE Aviation. "Our team is dedicated to producing the highest quality engines and ensuring deliveries and support are optimum for the U.S. Navy and for international customers such as the Royal Australian Air Force."
Super Hornets and Growlers are powered by twin F414-GE-400 turbofan engines. The F414 engine for the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G is rated at 22,000 pounds (98 kN) thrust and is in the 9:1 thrust-to-weight ratio class. The U.S. Navy has taken delivery of more than 860 F414 engines with more than 1 million engine flight-hours accumulated to date.
GE Aviation and the U.S. Navy continue collaboration on an F414-based technology demonstrator program, paving the way for future upgrades to increase thrust and/or extend time-on-wing for significant lifecycle cost benefits.
The F414 has also been selected as the powerplant for growth versions of the Saab Gripen. In addition, the F414 is being considered for India's Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, KAI/LMTAS A-50 light fighter (a derivative of the T-50 advanced trainer) and other combat aircraft under development.
GE Aviation, an operating unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of commercial and military jet engines and components as well as avionics, electric power and mechanical systems for aircraft. GE Aviation also has a global service network to support these offerings.