GE9X Aircraft Engine (Reader Response Draft 1)
The GE Aerospace website (n.d)
states that the GE9X is the “largest and most powerful commercial aircraft
engine ever built, incorporating advanced technologies that enable more
efficient, quieter flight with fewer emissions”.
The engine, created to propel the new twin-engine 777X aircraft,
is the most fuel-efficient in its class. It boasts a staggering 134,300 pounds
of thrust. That is 6,400 pounds more than its predecessor, the GE90-115B. Even
though it produces more power, the GE9X is designed to achieve 10% lower
specific fuel consumption (SFC) as compared to the GE90-115B and 5% better SFC
than any engine in its class (GE9X Engine Achieves FAA Certification | GE
Aerospace, n.d.). With such big engines, massive amounts of drag
can be generated and to overcome that, the GE9X boasts 16 fan blades. All of
which were made from carbon fiber. According to GE Aerospace, the fewer fan
blades that the GE9X possess boasts the most efficient fan to increase
performance and decrease fuel burn (GE9X High Bypass Turbofan | GE Aerospace,
n.d.). With all these advanced features, the GE9X is also massive in terms of
its size, boasting a diameter of 3.4 meters. It is so large in fact, that it
can fit a whole Boeing 737 fuselage inside (Adams, 2016). These engines were so
large and powerful for one reason only. To power the largest twin engine
aircraft ever produced, the Boeing 777X (777X, n.d.). More specifically the
777-9. With larger engines fitted on the aircraft, it can fly further than any
other aircraft currently operating. Its predecessor, the Boeing 777-300ER, can
fly up to 7,825 nautical miles. The 777-300ER is fitted with the GE90-115B. The
aircraft can operate up to 15 hours between long haul destinations between
Singapore-London and Paris-Los Angeles (Akanksha, 2020).
With the information on the GE9X on
its improvements in power output, noise reduction, and reduced emissions, it
becomes evident that this aircraft engine has had advanced technologically over
its predecessor, the GE90.
GE9X
High bypass turbofan | GE Aerospace. (n.d.). https://www.geaerospace.com/propulsion/commercial/ge9x
GE9X engine achieves FAA
certification | GE Aerospace. (n.d.). https://www.geaerospace.com/press-release/ge9x-engine-family/ge9x-engine-achieves-faa-certification
Adams, E. (2016, April 28). The world’s hugest jet engine
is wider than a 737’s fuselage. WIRED. https://www.wired.com/2016/04/worlds-hugest-jet-engine-wider-737s-fuselage/
777X. (n.d.). https://www.boeing.com/commercial/777x/#overview
Akanksha. (2020, January 23). The top 10 longest range
airliners in the world. Aerospace
Technology. https://www.aerospace-technology.com/features/feature-the-longest-range-airliners-in-the-world/
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