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GE's CF6 Engines Play Large Role in Powering Military Aviation

July 19, 2004

FARNBOROUGH - The GE CF6 engine family, the most reliable and best-selling commercial engine on wide-body aircraft, is playing an increasingly larger role in military aviation. The CF6-80C2 and CF6-80E1 engines have been selected to power numerous air transport applications for military operations. 

Key CF6 military customers include: 
Australian Defense Forces: The Australian Defense Forces have selected five EADS/Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft powered by CF6-80E1 engines for the Royal Australian Air Force. The aircraft will expand the Royal Australian Air Force's air-to-air refueling capabilities. Engine deliveries will begin in 2006. The aircraft will enter military service in 2007. 

Japan Defense Agency: The Japan Defense Agency (JDA) selected GE's CF6-80C2 engine for its next-generation cargo military aircraft, the C-X. The C-X, currently in development, will replace the C-1 cargo aircraft. The potential value of the engine contract to GE is worth approximately $1 billion over the estimated 30-year life of the program. The JDA will take delivery of the first engine in 2006 and begin operating the C-X in 2011. 

In addition, the JDA has ordered four Boeing KC-767 tanker transports, four Boeing E-767 AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) and a Boeing B-747 VIP transport, all powered by GE's CF6-80C2 engines. 

Italian Air Force: The Italian Air Force has ordered CF6-80C2 engines to power four Boeing KC-767 tanker transport aircraft. Aircraft delivery is scheduled to begin in 2005. 

U.S. Air Force: This fall, GE will begin delivery of the CF6-80C2 propulsion system for the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) C-5 Galaxy Reliability and Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP). The RERP is part of the USAF's comprehensive modernization plan to greatly reduce the fleet's operating costs, enable the Lockheed Martin C-5 Galaxy fleet to meet future heavy airlift requirements and extend the life of the aircraft to at least 2040. Following the SDD phase, the production phase could call for upwards of 500 CF6-80C2 propulsion systems, plus service support, at a potential value of $2.6 billion to GE. 

The USAF also selected the CF6-80C2 to power the new Boeing airborne laser (ABL) aircraft, currently designated the YAL-1A Attack Laser. Built on an extensively modified 747-400 Freighter platform, the YAL-1A will be the world's first flying missile defense system, capable of shooting down theater ballistic missiles during the missile's boost phase of flight. 

GE Transportation - Aircraft Engines, a part of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is one of the world's leading manufacturers of jet engines for civil and military aircraft.