January 20, 2005 -- EVENDALE, OHIO - January 20, 2005 - General Electric Company has structured agreements with five world-class aero-engine manufacturers on the new GEnx engine.
The five international companies combine for an approximately 36 percent share of the new GEnx engine, which is under development to power the Boeing 7E7 and Airbus A350 twin-engine aircraft.
The five companies are Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) of Japan, Avio SpA of Italy, Volvo Aero of Sweden, Techspace Aero of Belgium and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) of Japan.
"The long history between GE and these companies is fantastic," said Ken Foley, general manager of international programs for GEnx. "The GEnx will be our most advanced commercial engine, and teaming with these leading aerospace companies is a huge boost to our program."
GEnx is the next-generation of engine technology to succeed GE's highly successful CF6 series, the best-selling engine family for wide-body aircraft. The GEnx engine, which will feature breakthrough technologies such as a composite fan system, will produce 55,000 to 75,000 pounds of thrust. The first full engine will go to test in 2006.
The GEnx participants and work shares:
*IHI / MHI GEnx share: approx. 15 percent
GEnx responsibility: Low-pressure turbine rotating components and module assembly as well as compressor airfoils, mid-fan shaft and combustor casing.
History with GE: CF34-8/-10 and GE90 engines. IHI has assembled GE engines under license for more than half a century. MHI will participate as the manufacturer of the combustor case.
*Avio SpA GEnx share: approx. 12 percent
GEnx responsibility: Gearboxes, low-pressure turbine static components and casing, and lubrication system.
History with GE: CF6, CFM56, GE90, T700/CT7, LM2500, LM6000, and LMS100 engines.
*Volvo Aero GEnx share: approx. 6 percent
GEnx responsibility: Fan hub frame, turbine rear frame, and booster spool.
History with GE: CF6, LM2500, LM1600, LM6000, LMS100, and F414 engines. Volvo also assembles and makes components for the RM12 engine for the JAS 39 Gripen.
*Techspace Aero GEnx share: approx. 3 percent
GEnx responsibility: Booster stator.
History with GE: CF34-10. (Snecma Moteurs participates on the GE90 and is a 50/50 joint partner with GE in CFM International.)
GE Transportation - Aircraft Engines, a part of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is one of the world's leading manufacturers of jet engines for civil and military aircraft. GE Transportation is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Rich Gorham