General Electric F110

General Electric F110. The General Electric F110 is an afterburning turbofan jet engine that has been a cornerstone of American tactical air power for decades. Developed from the core of the General Electric F101 engine used in the Rockwell B-1 Lancer, it was selected to re-engine the Grumman F-14 Tomcat and later became the primary powerplant for the Block 50/52 variants of the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. Renowned for its exceptional reliability and thrust, the F110 has powered fighters for the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, and numerous allied nations worldwide.

Development and history

The F110's genesis lies in the General Electric YF101 core developed for the Advanced Manned Strategic Aircraft program. Following the Iranian Revolution and the loss of Pratt & Whitney TF30 engines for the Imperial Iranian Air Force's F-14 fleet, the United States Navy initiated the F-14A+ program, requiring a new, more reliable engine. General Electric, in competition with Pratt & Whitney, adapted its F101 core into the F110-GE-400, which won the contract after a fly-off at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. This success led to its adoption by the United States Air Force for the F-16C/D following the Great Engine War, a protracted competition against the Pratt & Whitney F100.

Design and features

The F110 is a twin-spool, low-bypass ratio turbofan engine featuring a wide-chord fan design derived from the General Electric CF6 commercial engine, which provides robust resistance to Foreign object damage. Its core, proven in the B-1B bomber, is known for durability and resistance to compressor stall. The engine incorporates a full-authority digital engine control system for optimal performance and reliability. Key advancements in later models include the use of single-crystal turbine blades and advanced cooling techniques, allowing for higher turbine inlet temperatures and greater thrust. The design emphasizes maintainability, with modular construction reducing turnaround times for the United States Air Force and international operators like the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

Variants

The primary variants are the F110-GE-100 and the more powerful F110-GE-129. The -100, delivering 28,984 lbf of thrust, was initially fitted to the Block 30/32 F-16C/D and the F-14A+ (later redesignated F-14B). The -129, known as the Increased Performance Engine, produces 29,500 lbf and powers the Block 50/52 F-16C/D and the F-14B upgrade. The naval F110-GE-400 variant featured modifications for the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, including different accessories and a longer augmentor. The General Electric F118, a non-afterburning derivative, powers the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit and the Lockheed U-2S.

Operational history

Entering service with United States Navy Fighter Squadron 74 in 1987, the F110 dramatically improved the safety and performance of the Grumman F-14 Tomcat. In the United States Air Force, it became the engine of choice for the Block 50/52 F-16C/D, serving as a primary platform for Wild Weasel suppression of enemy air defense missions. The engine has seen extensive combat use in conflicts including the Gulf War, the Kosovo War, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. It is also the standard engine for F-16 fleets of key allies such as the Israeli Air Force, the Republic of Korea Air Force, and the Polish Air Force, with over 10 million flight hours accumulated.

Specifications (F110-GE-129)

* Type: Afterburning turbofan * Length: 182 in (4.62 m) * Diameter: 46.5 in (1.18 m) * Dry weight: 3,920 lb (1,780 kg) * Compressor: 3-stage fan, 9-stage high-pressure compressor * Combustors: Annular * Turbine: 2-stage high-pressure, single-stage low-pressure * Maximum thrust: * 17,155 lbf (76.31 kN) military thrust * 29,500 lbf (131.2 kN) with afterburner * Overall pressure ratio: 32:1 * Bypass ratio: 0.76:1 * Thrust-to-weight ratio: 7.52:1

Category:Aircraft engines Category:General Electric aircraft engines Category:1980s United States jet engines