LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS - The U.S. Navy has awarded GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE) a contract valued at more than $35 million for 100 modules for F404-GE-402 engines that power F/A-18C/D Hornet aircraft, in order to enhance the overall readiness of the Navy's Hornet fleet.



Delivery of the engine modules is scheduled to begin in May 2002 and be completed within the same year.



More than 3,700 F404 engines are currently in service, powering the F-117A Stealth fighters of the U.S. Air Force and the F/A-18 Hornet fighter/attack aircraft of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, plus the aircraft of several military services worldwide.



The modules will be produced at the GEAE plant in Lynn, Massachusetts, from components manufactured at Lynn and at other GEAE plants in Vermont, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Kentucky, and New Mexico. Additional components will be produced by outside suppliers.



GEAE also produces the F414-GE-400 engines that power the U.S. Navy's fleet of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.



GEAE, a division of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) is the world's leading manufacturer of jet engines for civil and military aircraft, including engines produced by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company of Snecma of France and GE. GEAE also manufactures gas turbines, derived from its highly successful jet engine programs, for marine and industrial applications. In addition, GEAE provides comprehensive maintenance support, through its GE Engine Services operation, for GE and non-GE jet engines in service throughout the world. Visit GEAE online at: http://www.geae.com.