The engineers at GE Aviation are working on the next generation of commercial jet engines, which will use less fuel and spew less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. It's called the GEnx-2B, and it's also designed to be quieter, lighter and more durable than current engines. The engine recently reached a testing milestone at GE's testing facility outside Cincinnati in rural Adams County, achieving 70,950 pounds of takeoff thrust during ground tests. The results were good enough that "we look forward to preparing the engine for flight tests later this year," says Tom Brisken, general manager of the GEnx program.
The engine should begin flying service in late 2009. With more than 1,100 engines sold to date, it is the fastest-selling engine in GE's history, the company says. Cincinnati-based GE Aviation, a unit of General Electric, is one of the world's top designers and manufacturers of military and commercial jet engines.
Writer: David Holthaus
Source: Rick Kennedy, GE Aviation
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