GE

GE Aerospace makes first delivery of first giant production GE9X engine

GE Aerospace reported yesterday, July 17, that it left its test facilities in Peebles, United States, the first giant production GE9X engine, that is, the first to be installed in a Boeing 777X aircraft destined for a customer of the new North American widebody aircraft.

Until now, the engines of this model produced by GE have been destined for test aircraft, therefore, the delivery of the first production unit comes as good news for the already very late deadline for entry into commercial service of the 777X.

“Powering the new 777-9, the GE9X is redefining the future of flight through industry-leading innovations. Congratulations to all the teams who made this moment possible,” said GE Aerospace in its post about the engine delivery.

In 2019, the manufacturer broke its own Guinness Book record with the GE9X, as the most powerful jet engine ever made in history. Designed exclusively for the giant Boeing 777X, which is also the largest twin-engine plane in the world, the new engine achieved 134,300 pounds of thrust during tests monitored by judges from Guinness World Records.

The previous record was held by the GE90 engine made for the Boeing 777, predecessor of the GE9X. The previous model set the record at 127,900 pounds of thrust.

In addition to the power, the giant propellant has a diameter of 3.35 meters at the main nozzle, practically the same size as the fuselage of a Boeing 737. The compression ratio of the GE9X is 60:1, making it 10% more economical than the GE90, while bringing more power.

Another point in relation to the GE90 is that the GE9X has 8 fewer blades in the fan, reaching just 16. This was possible thanks to ceramic 3D printing technology with composite materials in a matrix. Internal temperatures in the combustion chamber can reach an incredible 1,315ºC.

With information from GE Aerospace

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