GE Aircraft's F110-GE-132 engine tests moving apace

GE Aircraft Engines report that their development F110-GE-132 jet engine for the F-16C/D is undergoing an exhaustive series of ground tests in readiness of flight testing next year. The F110 engine is derived from the F110-GE-100 and F110-GE-129 engines, which power the majority of F-16C/Ds world-wide.

Capable of producing a maximum of 32,500 pounds (144 kN) of thrust, the F110-GE-132 is said to have 50% more life than the GE-129 variant. Engine life can be further improved by limiting thrust levels to 29,000 (129 kN) - the thrust rating of GE-129 engines.

The F110-GE-132 engine has already completed performance baseline testing and altitude tests; endurance testing starts this summer. The new engine is based on proven technologies derived from GE Aircraft Engines' experience and development of the F118 engine (B-2 bomber), F414 engine (F/A-18E/F), F120 engine (JSF) and the F404.

The UAE Air Force has selected the F110-GE-132 for its eighty F-16 Block 60 aircraft. Following flight testing in 2002 and 2003, first production engines are due to be delivered in 2003 to support the UAE's aircraft delivery schedule from 2004.

Further orders for F110 engines include that of the Air Force of Chile, which has selected the F110-GE-129 to power its new fleet of F-16C/D aircraft. Elsewhere, the F110 engine family is used to power F-16s for the USAF, Bahrain, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Turkey, UAE, and Japan's F-2 fighter.

REF XQQAS XQQAR