Air France's order for GE90-115B engines, the exclusive power plant for Boeing's Longer-Range 777-200/300 aircraft, has boosted the GE90-115B firm order book to 98 engines, valued at more than $1.5 billion.Air France announced yesterday an order for 10 firm and 10 option GE90-115B-powered Boeing 777 aircraft to satisfy increasing capacity requirements for long-haul routes. Delivery of the first airplane is scheduled for October 2003. The Air France deal follows a series of orders for the GE90-115B, which was selected by Boeing in July 1999 to power its Longer-Range 777-200/-300 aircraft. Boeing anticipates a marketplace demand of more than 500 longer range 777s.At 115,000 pounds thrust, the highest in aviation history, the GE90-115B incorporates the proven technology of the successful GE90 family with new, performance-enhancing features such as a three-dimensional aerodynamic (3-D Aero) compressor to deliver improved fuel burn, and wide chord swept, composite fan blades for greater efficiency. GE90-115B detail design is underway an the first engine to test in targeted for the fourth quarter of 2001. FAR/JAR33 type certification of the GE90-115B by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the European Community's Joint Airworthiness Authorities is targeted for 2002, with the GE90-115B-powered 777 to be ready for entry into service in late 2003.Including yesterday's Air France order, 16 customers have ordered 185 firm and 46 option GE90-powered Boeing 777 aircraft, a firm engine value of more than $6.3 billion. Of these customers, six have chosen the Longer-Range, GE90-115B-powered 777 models. The Longer-Range 777-200 model will be the longest-range airplane in the world, while the Longer-Range 777-300 model is designed to be the ideal replacement for early 747s.