General Electric Aircraft Engines (GE) received 180min extended-range twinjet operations (ETOPS) clearance for its GE90 turbofan, early in October. It is one of three power plants offered for the Boeing 777. US Federal Aviation Administration approval followed the delayed completion of 1,000-cycle testing in July. British Airways plans to begin transatlantic services with its 777s in late October.
Meanwhile, the first 777-200IGW (increased gross weight), powered by 410kN GE90-92Bs, was rolled out in late August, and was due to make its maiden flight on 7 October. First deliveries of the IGW growth model are due to be made to BA and China Southern in February 1997. The more-powerful GE90-100B, rated at 445kN, is under development for certification in 1998 and service entry in 1999, after GE abandoned an earlier plan to grow the engine via an intermediate rating of 423-436kN.
GE is to complete a study into power plant options for the proposed Airbus A340-500/600 growth models on October, following the signing of an exclusive agreement with the European consortium earlier this year. Although the study was initially expected to recommend development of a CF6 derivative, GE is understood to be leaning towards an all-new engine with a thrust rating of around 245kN. The outcome of the engine study is crucial to the Airbus programme - a new engine would deliver better performance than a CF6 derivative, but GE may conclude that the potential market for the A340-500/600 is not sufficient to justify the development costs.
Earlier this year, GE formally launched a growth version of the CF34, the -8C, initially intended to power Bombardier's proposed CRJ-X 70-seat regional jet. The CRJ-X is a stretched version of the CF34-powered Canadair Regional Jet. The engine will also be pitched at Aero International (Regional)'s AIR70 regional jet.
GE says the CF34-8C will be service-ready in February 1999. Japan Aero Engines, a group, headed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries have already been signed-up to participate in the -8C programme.
A growth version of GE's T700 turbo-shaft, which combines the core of the CT7-9 turboprop with a new, increased-airflow compressor and full-authority digital engine-control, is now being developed for use on the NH Industries NH90 and Sikorsky S-92 twin-engined helicopters.
In the military sector, GE has completed flight-test qualification of the F110-129 on a US Air Force F-15.
The engine is due to be manufactured in Japan within the next three years to power the Mitsubishi F-2 multi-role fighter. The F414, meanwhile, has accumulated more than 650h in the McDonnell Douglas F-18E/F test programme.
Source: Flight International
