A four-month General Electric F110-132 turbofan flight test programme has begun at Edwards AFB, California on a modified Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 30 testbed.
The 32,500lb-thrust (144kN) engine derivative is the most powerful option developed for the F-16, and was launched in 2000 following selection by the United Arab Emirates for 80 F-16 Block 60s. The engine is based on the F110-100/-129, but has a long-chord blisk fan derived from the F118 engine, a radial afterburner based on the F414 design and enhanced for the F136 Joint Strike Fighter, and a composite outer duct based on the lining developed for the F404/414 engines.
The test phase, around 25 flights, began with an initial sortie that included several dry and afterburner throttle transients. Follow-up tests will "focus on flight envelope expansion, including performance and operation of a new radial augmentor designed to significantly reduce maintenance man-hours and costs," says GE. Initial production engines have, meanwhile, been delivered to Lockheed Martin for installation in the initial Block 60 aircraft.
Source: Flight International
