EVENDALE, OHIO - The Air Force of the Republic of Korea (ROKAF) has selected GE Aircraft Engines' (GEAE) F110 fighter engine to power 40 new Boeing F-15K aircraft in an engine order valued at more than $340 million.
The ROKAF selection launches the popular F110 fighter engine on the twin-engine F-15 aircraft. For almost two decades, GEAE's F110 engine family has been the best-selling engine for single-engine F-16C/Ds worldwide.
The contract calls for the procurement of 80 installed engines, plus eight spares. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2005 and continue through 2008.
"We are thrilled with the ROKAF engine selection," said Russ Sparks, vice president and general manager of GEAE Military Engine Operations. "It reflects the solid relationship between the ROKAF and GEAE, and the long and successful history of our engines powering ROKAF aircraft."
The F110 engines will be assembled through a licensing agreement with Samsung Techwin Co., LTD. GEAE will handle final assembly of the initial engines, then it will transition to Samsung, using full engine kits produced by GEAE. For several decades, Samsung has assembled (under license) GEAE's T700, J79, and J85 engines powering ROKAF aircraft. GEAE and Samsung are also working together on the ROKAF's T-50 advanced trainer/light combat aircraft, to be powered by GEAE's F404 engine.
"We are pleased that the ROKAF's intense, transparent evaluation recognized the F110's history of reliability, stall-free operation, low fuel burn, and lower life cycle costs," said Andy Solem, general manager of the Turbofan and Turbojet Programs at GEAE's Military Engine Operations. "This selection will allow other militaries to better evaluate the engine's inherent operational advantages for new F-15s and as a re-engining solution for mature F-15s in service."
Working closely with The Boeing Company, GEAE is establishing significant industrial cooperation and technology transfer programs with Samsung Techwin and Korean industry. "We look forward to expanding our aerospace relationships in Korea for both commercial and military applications," said Thomas Wygle, regional director for Asia for GEAE Military Engine Operations. "GEAE has an outstanding relationship with Samsung and we look forward to building upon our efforts in Korea."
More than 2,700 F110 engines have been ordered worldwide since the engine was first selected by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) in 1984. In addition to the USAF and USN, nine other governments worldwide have selected or now operate F110 engines for their F-16C/D fleets as well as Japan's F-2 fleet. The F110-GE-129 model (rated at 29,000 pounds of thrust) selected by Korea for the F-15 first entered operational service with USAF F-16s in 1992.
The F110 is no stranger to the F-15. In 1999, the USAF completed a highly successful field service evaluation of the F110-GE-129 powering the F-15E, during which time the engine surpassed 1,700 engine flights hours on the aircraft. In fact, the USAF extended the program beyond the 1,000 hours originally envisioned due to the engine's remarkable performance and the high mission readiness rate of the aircraft/engine combination.
GEAE, a division of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is the world's leading manufacturer of jet engines for military and civil aircraft, including engines produced by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company of Snecma Moteurs 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.