GLASGOW, MT - General Electric and Boeing will begin testing new technology to further reduce noise on the already quiet Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which are powered by GE90-115B engines.
The three-week flight test at Boeing's Glasgow, Montana, test facility is part of Boeing's Quiet Technology Demonstrator 2 (QTD 2) program. QTD 2 is a collaboration between Boeing, General Electric, Goodrich's Aerostructures division, NASA, and All Nippon Airways to validate new technologies designed to reduce noise on the aircraft and engine.
"Together with our partners, GE will test several new technologies on the GE90 engines powering the QTD 2 demonstrator to determine the environmental noise benefits that they will bring to future generations of aircraft engines," explained Gareth Richards, GE90 Program Manager. "This advanced technology test program is a visible demonstration of GE's ongoing commitment to technology. This year, GE will again invest more than $1 billion on new technology development. The results of this test will allow us to incorporate this technology into advanced technology programs, such as the new GEnx engine in development for the Boeing 787 and 747 Advanced aircraft and the LEAP56 program for the CFM56* engine."
Modifications to the GE90 engine on the QTD 2 include:
- One-piece acoustic inlet liner: The acoustic inlet liner on the QTD 2 demonstrator will be one piece from the lip to the fan blades. The one-piece acoustic inlet liner will provide more fan noise suppression than the current GE90 segmented acoustic inlet liner.
- Leading edge treatment on nacelle: The QTD 2 engine nacelle will have an acoustically treated inlet lip instead of the current hardwall structure. This will extend the acoustic treatment area.
- Fan and core chevrons: Leveraging the success of chevrons on the CF34 and CFM engine families, the GE90 engine on the QTD 2 demonstrator will include chevrons on the fan and core. These chevrons will reduce community and cabin noise.
The GE90 and the GEnx are part of GE's "ecomagination" products portfolio-- GE's commitment to develop new, cost-effective technologies that will enhance customers' environmental and operating performance. The GE90-115B engine, certified at 115,000 pounds (512 kN) thrust, is the world's most powerful jet engine. The engine powers Boeing's 777-300ER, 777-200LR Worldliner and 777 freighter aircraft. The engine's uniquely shaped fan blades create an unprecedented volume of airflow that delivers tremendous thrust, but also improves fuel efficiency. In addition, the air volume is generated at a slower rotational speed, which in turns produces lower noise. As a result, the GE90 family is substantially quieter than any engine in its class.
Emission levels are reduced due in part to the engine's improved combustor. The fuel-efficient engine burns less fuel per pound of thrust, which means less carbon monoxide emissions. The combustor emits no more than 50 percent of the carbon monoxide that will be allowed by 2008 international standards.
Snecma of France, Avio SpA. of Italy, and IHI of Japan are revenue-sharing participants in the GE90 program.
GE Transportation, a division of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is one of the world's leading manufacturers of jet engines for civil and military aircraft. GE also is a global provider of maintenance and support services for operators of GE and non-GE jet engines.
* CFM56 engines are produced by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between GE and Snecma.