FARNBOROUGH -- Production of General Electric Company's GE90 engine family will more than double between 2005 and 2007--capitalizing on the extraordinary success of Boeing's longer-range 777-300ER (Extended Range) and 777-200LR (Longer Range) Worldliner aircraft.
The order book for the GE90 in 2005 reached 300 engines, which included 245 higher-thrust GE90 engines for the 777-300ER and -200LR. Previously, the most GE90 orders received in one year was 68 engines.
This has propelled production rates at GE's Durham, North Carolina, engine assembly facility from 73 GE90 engines in 2005 to more than 170 engines in 2007.
The GE90 production ramp-up coincides with one of the most successful airline service entries of a high-thrust jet engine in aviation history.
The GE90-115B entered service in 2004 with Air France on a 777-300ER at an unprecedented 115,000 pounds (512 kN) thrust. Since then, the GE90-115B has accumulated more than 365,000 hours and 64,000 cycles with no engine removals and no in-flight shutdowns--a remarkable achievement for a new jet engine.
"GE has been critical to Boeing's introduction of the most-efficient and reliable, long-range aircraft in commercial aviation," said Lars Anderson, vice president-program manager for 777 Program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
This year, the first 777-200LR (with the GE90-110B) entered service with Pakistan International Airlines. The GE90-powered 777 freighters enter service in the fourth quarter of 2008.
In total, 29 customers have ordered nearly 900 GE90 engines for the 777 family, including nearly 450 of the higher-thrust GE90-115B engines for the longer-range 777-300ER and 777-200LR aircraft.
The GE90-115B is part of GE's "ecomagination" product portfolio--GE's commitment to develop new, cost-effective technologies that enhance customers' environmental and operating performance.
Snecma of France, Avio S.p.A. of Italy, and IHI of Japan are revenue-sharing participants in the GE90 program.
GE - Aviation, an operating unit 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 world-leading provider of maintenance and support services for jet engines.