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DefenceTalk<\/p>\nDefenceTalk<\/p>\n
Two F110-GE-129 engines powered the first flight of the Boeing F-15EX fighter on Feb. 2. The round-trip flight took off and landed from Lambert International Airport in St. Louis, kicking off a new era of performance and reliability for the United States Air Force\u2019s most advanced F-15 fighter.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn behalf of the GE team, congratulations to Boeing and the United States Air Force on the first flight of the F-15EX,\u201d said Shawn Warren, General Manager, GE Large Combat & Mobility Engines. \u201cThis milestone reflects the teamwork and dedication focused on the capabilities of this outstanding fighter. We are proud to power the Air Force\u2019s most advanced F-15 fighter.\u201d<\/p>\n
In June, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCM) chose GE to power the first eight F-15EX fighter aircraft. GE Aviation delivered the first shipset of F110 engines to the Air Force in early September and will provide a total of 19 engines to the service branch by 2022.<\/p>\n
The F110-GE-129 engine is the only engine tested, integrated and certified for the fly-by-wire F-15EX. In 2014, GE began investing resources and made a long-term commitment to become qualified on the F-15EX. GE has significant experience and expertise in aircraft integration, which it accomplished with Boeing through technology and software upgrades, software version changes, and enhancements in F110 performance and durability.<\/p>\n
With an active supply chain and fully operational production line, GE is set to deliver on the Air Force\u2019s demand for all requested F-15EX engines to meet the branch\u2019s rapid fielding requirements. No additional development effort is required for the F110 program, which translates to no incremental cost or delivery risks.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re the only engine maker that has been fully committed to the Advanced F-15 program since Day 1,\u201d Warren added. \u201cOver the last decade, we have been planning on expanding the F110 engine\u2019s capability. The ongoing demand for this engine is a testament to the value of its upgraded technology and will keep the production line open for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
Backed by a continuous infusion of new technology, the F110 family of engines surpassed 10 million flight hours in 2019, with the -129 engine demonstrating 6,000 total accumulated cycle intervals and averaging more than 750 hours time-on-wing between shop visits.<\/p>\n
New F110 variants have gone through GE\u2019s Service Life Extension Program (SLEP). SLEP hardware upgrades include highly successful three-dimensional aerodynamic technology derived from the CFM56* commercial engine family plus upgrades to the combustor and high-pressure turbine. The enhancements can help provide up to a 25 percent improvement in cost-per-flight hour, a 50 percent increase in engine cycle life, and a threefold increase in average time-on-wing.<\/p>\n
The F110-GE-129 has also applications on Advanced F-15s around the globe. The Royal Saudi Air Force received its final F110-powered F-15SA aircraft in December 2020, while Singapore and South Korea also continue relying on F110 power for their F-15 variants. Qatar is expected to receive its F-15 variant\u2014the F-15QA\u2014in 2021. Additionally, the F110 also powers nearly 70 percent of today\u2019s most advanced U.S. Air Force F-16C\/D aircraft.<\/p>\n
*CFM is a 50\/50 joint venture between GE Aviation and Safran Aircraft Engines<\/p>\n