EVENDALE, OHIO -- GE has received type certification from the U.S Federal Aviation Administration on its Performance Improvement Package (PIP) I for the GEnx-1B engine that will power the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The Part 33 certification was issued on August 12.
"The entire GEnx team-from the product line to engineering to supply chain--has worked extremely hard on the PIP 1 on the GEnx-1B engine, and I'm proud of their dedication to enhancing the engine's performance for our GEnx customers," said Bill Fitzgerald, vice president and general manager of the GEnx engine program.
The PIP 1 on the GEnx-1B engine includes a redesign of the low pressure turbine airfoils. These enhancements will provide a substantial improvement to the specific fuel consumption (SFC) for the GEnx-1B engine. The first GEnx-1B engines will enter service on the Boeing 787 in the fourth quarter of this year.
Testing is underway on a PIP II on the GEnx-1B engine. The PIP II will include upgrades to the high pressure compressor to bring additional fuel consumption improvements. GE anticipates the PIP II to certify next year with entry into service by early 2013.
GE Aviation is also developing a PIP for the GEnx-2B engine. This package will incorporate elements from the GEnx-1B PIP I and PIP II programs.
More than 1,300 GEnx engines are on order for 47 customers around the world, Based on proven GE90 architecture, the GEnx engine will succeed GE's CF6 engine and will offer 15 percent improved fuel efficiency, which translates to 15 percent less CO2. The engine's innovative twin-annular pre-swirl (TAPS) combustor will dramatically reduce NOx gases as much as 60 percent below today's regulatory limits and other regulated gases as much as 90 percent. Based on the ratio of decibels to pounds of thrust, the GEnx will be the quietest engine GE has produced due to the large, more efficient fan blades that operate at slower tip speed, resulting in about 30 percent lower noise levels. The GEnx will be the world's only jet engine with both a front fan case and fan blades made of carbon fiber composites.
IHI Corporation of Japan, Avio SpA. of Italy, Volvo Aero of Sweden, MTU of Germany, TechSpace Aero of Belgium, Snecma (SAFRAN Group) of France and Samsung Techwin of Korea are revenue-sharing participants in the GEnx program.
The GEnx is part of GE's "ecomagination" product portfolio - GE's commitment to develop new, cost-effective technologies that enhance customers' environmental and operating performance.
GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings. For more information, visit us at www.ge.com/aviation. Learn more about GE Business & General Aviation at http://facebook.com/GEBGA . Follow GE Aviation on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GEAviation and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/GEAviation.