General Electric plans to run a signiÌcantly upgraded version of its F110-129 engine as early as the last quarter of 1998 if the United Arab Emirates (UAE) selects the proposed Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 60 with its engine rather than the competing Pratt & Whitney F100-229. The US Ìghter is in competition with European types for the contract.
The F110-129EFE (enhanced Ìghter engine) is potentially capable of up to 160kN (36,000lb) thrust, but would be derated to around 140kN for the UAE if selected. GE believes that the potential of the -129EFE is so great that it has decided to continue development, despite the recent decision of the US Air Force to discontinue its direct Ìnancial support. "The USAF was a partner in the programme until earlier this year but now they're not funding it, so we are going ahead with it ourselves," says GE military engines operations vice-president and general manager Dennis Little.
"We've tested each of the elements and now its a matter of running everything together. The test run will depend on the timing of the UAE decision. It could be run in late 1998 or early 1999," he says.
The main improvements in the -129EFE include a wide-chord bladed-disk fan and improved afterburner based on the design of GE's YF120. This was originally conceived for the Advanced Tactical Fighter contest, but is being developed, without its variable-cycle features, as the alternative engine for the Joint Strike Fighter.
Using the improvements - which include higher core-ßow, thanks mainly to the increased capacity of the fan - GE plans to offer either a 50% increase in engine life or a signiÌcant thrust increase. At 160kN, the -129EFE would offer an increase in thrust of more than 30kN over the current top-of-the-range -129 in the F-16.
The improvements in the -129EFE package will also be offered for retrofit to existing F-16s and Boeing (formerly McDonnell Douglas) F-15s. The current F110 engine is in the middle of a qualiÌcation and service evaluation with the USAF on an F-15 at Nellis AFB, Nevada.
A second GE-powered F-15 is due to join the current aircraft in the third quarter of 1997. "We expect to be able to compete internationally on the F-15 for some competitions," comments Little.o
Source: Flight International
