http://www.arnold.af.mil/aedc/newsreleases/2001-049.htm

NEWS RELEASE
United States Air Force
Air Force Materiel Command

Office of Public Affairs
Arnold Engineering Development Center
100 Kindel Drive
Arnold AFB, TN 37389-2213
(931) 454-5586
http://www.arnold.af.mil

Writer: Tina Barton
Date: February 22, 2001
Release # 2001-049
Photo # 01-04515

General Electric’s enhanced fighter engine begins testing in J-2

ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. — General Electric’s F110-GE-132 Enhanced Fighter Engine, began altitude qualification testing in Aeropropulsion Test Cell J-2 at the U.S. Air Force's Arnold Engineering Development Center last week after completing performance tests at the company’s Peebles, Ohio, test facility.

While at Arnold, the engine will undergo about 220 air-on hours of testing at altitude conditions. The primary test objective is to validate and qualify engine performance at altitude conditions for military engine qualification of the Block 50 F-16 and for commercial sales of the Block 60 F-16. AEDC test operators will obtain performance, controls, operability and augmentor data during the four-month program.

The F110-GE-132 EFE, providing 32,500 pounds thrust, is GE’s latest and most advanced engine in the F110 family. Engine design includes an advanced three-stage blisk fan, an advanced radial type augmentor and an optional ejector exhaust nozzle.

Lockheed Martin recently chose the EFE as the powerplant for it’s Block 60 F-16s.

The EFE’s new fan can operate at higher pressure ratios than previous F110s, providing increased performance with higher airflow. The three-dimensional aerodynamic design also provides higher efficiency resulting in increased durability and improved reliability. Engine design makes it 100-percent compatible with existing F110 airframe installations.

The engine is scheduled to begin flying in a Block 50 F-16 testbed in late 2002, with flights in a Block 60 aircraft to follow in 2003.