FARNBOROUGH - General Electric Company's F110 and F404 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 and by expanding its aircraft applications worldwide.
F110 engine family
F-15K: The first F110-GE-129 engine for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) fighter program was delivered earlier this year to Samsung, which will handle co-production for ROKAF's F110 engine fleet. This summer, F110 engines will be delivered for installation into the first production F-15K aircraft.
The ROKAF selected GEAE's F110 fighter engine to power 40 new Boeing F-15K aircraft, launching the popular F110 on the twin-engine F-15 application. For almost two decades, GEAE's F110 engine family has been the best-selling engine for single-engine Lockheed Martin F-16C/Ds worldwide. Full integration of the F110 into the F-15K is complete.
F-16E/F: Two Block 60 Lockheed Martin F-16E/F aircraft, powered by the higher-thrust F110-GE-132 engine, are continuing flight tests. In late 2003, the F110-GE-132 completed qualification testing, clearing the way for operational service on the Block 60 F-16.
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. A derivative version of the -132, under consideration for F-15 and F-16 applications, can potentially increase the life of the engine by up to 50 percent compared with previous designs.
More than 2,600 F110 engines have been ordered worldwide since the engine was first selected by the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1984.
Service Life Extension Program: GE's service life extension program (SLEP) for its F110-GE-100 and F110-GE-129 engine families is progressing with engine ground tests now under way with the SLEP technology package.
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), 3-D aero technology, and a redesigned flowpath with changes to the combustor and high-pressure turbine. The enhancements can help provide up to a 3X time-on-wing increase, significant decreases in cost-per-flying-hour, elimination of special inspections, and safety benefits.
GE and the USAF have assessed the potential savings that SLEP could bring to a USAF fleet of about 850 F110 engines already in operational service - a savings estimated at about $1 billion. SLEP hardware is planned for qualification in early 2005, with retrofit hardware available in late 2005. Depending upon available funding, the SLEP technology could be incorporated into all new F110-GE-129 engine delivered beyond 2006.
F404 engine family
F404 is one of the most successful fighter engine families in military aviation history. More than 3,700 F404 engines are in service, 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 Singapore's A-4SU Super Skyhawk, Sweden's JAS 39 Gripen, and Korea's T-50 Golden Eagle. Recent developments include:
JAS 39 Gripen: Later this year, GE delivers the first F404/RM12 engine kit to be assembled by Volvo for the first JAS39 Gripen delivered 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 2005. The Czech Republic is in the process of finalizing a lease of 14 Gripens from the Swedish Air Force beginning in 2005. 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. Initial T-50 delivery is scheduled for 2005. Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Lockheed Martin will produce the T-50 Golden Eagle for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), which has announced plans to initially procure 94 aircraft. To date, 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.
J-UCAS: In 2004, GE will deliver 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 will deliver exhaust system components in early 2005.
India LCA: The F404-IN20 continues to power the India Light Combat Aircraft (Tejas) in its flight test program. The engine has generated more than 19,000 pounds (85 kN) thrust during the program. Indian defense officials have ordered 16 engines to power initial Tejas production aircraft, and have expressed interest in procuring 50 production engines to power follow-on Tejas production aircraft.
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