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. WIREDhttps://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 worldAerospace Technology. https://www.aerospace-technology.com/features/feature-the-longest-range-airliners-in-the-world/


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