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GEnx-2B Engine Begins Icing Certification Testing

February 02, 2010

SINGAPORE -- The GEnx-2B engine for the Boeing 747-8 aircraft has started its final certification test – the icing test at GE's Mirabel, Quebec icing facility. 

"The icing test on the GEnx-2B will simulate the complete range of icing cloud and ground fog conditions the engine could encounter in operation," explained Tom Brisken, general manager of the GEnx program. "The GEnx-2B engine has performed well throughout the certification tests and has accumulated more than 2,400 hours and more than 4,000 cycles. 

In January, the GEnx-2B engine completed its second round of flight tests aboard GE's 747 flying testbed and has racked up a total of 53 flights and 275 flight hours. The results of the GEnx-2B engine's emission testing that was completed late last year confirmed GE's expectation of its innovative twin annular pre-mixing swirler, TAPS, combustor with NOx emissions as much as 60 percent below today's regulatory limits and other regulated gases as much as 90 percent. 

Based on the proven architecture of the GE90, the GEnx engine will succeed GE's CF6 engine. Compared to the CF6 engine, the GEnx engine will offer 15 percent improved fuel efficiency, which translates to 15 percent less CO2. The engine achieves these improvements with aerodynamic advancements that enable higher pressures and improved energy extraction from a more compact core architecture that has significantly fewer parts. 

Optimized for the Boeing 747-8 aircraft, the GEnx-2B engine shares a common core and 80 percent of the line-replaceable units with the GEnx-1B, which will power Boeing's 787 Dreamliner. The GEnx is the fastest selling engine in GE's history with about 1,300 engines on order. 

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 a 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 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 engines, components and integrated systems for commercial and military aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings.