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USAF Orders Additional CFM56-2 Engines
LE BOURGET - June 16, 2003 - The U.S. Air
Force (USAF) has released funding to purchase eight additional
CFM56-2 engines to re-engine two RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft
for delivery in 2004. The order is valued at approximately
$31 million. The CFM56-2 engine (designated the F108 for military
applications) is produced by CFM International (CFM), a 50/50
joint company between Snecma Moteurs of France and General
Electric Company. The USAF is CFM’s largest customer
and has ordered 1,800 CFM56-2s to reengine 425 aircraft.
“The RC-135 and KC-135 re-engining continues to be
among the most successful modernization programs in USAF history,”
said Al DiLibero, general manager of CFM’s Military
Engine Programs. “The F108 is ideally matched to the
KC-135 and RC-135 missions, and its economic benefits have
provided the USAF with tremendous value in terms of fleet
operations, commonality, and maintenance costs.”
The F108 engine that powers the RC-135 is rated at 22,000
pounds (98 kN) thrust, providing the aircraft with extended
range, improved reliability, and lower maintenance costs than
the original TF33 engines. The F108-powered KC-135 is capable
of off-loading more fuel to receiver aircraft than the original
tanker version, with significantly better engine fuel consumption,
longer time on station, and higher altitudes. CFM is actively
working with both the USAF and Air National Guard to re-engine
the remaining KC-135E fleet, which would encompass more than
100 aircraft. Since the first F108 was first delivered in
1984, the fleet has logged more than 8 million flight hours
and has accumulated the most reliable engine record in the
USAF inventory.
In addition to the KC-135 and RC-135 programs, the CFM56-2
also powers KC-135 tanker aircraft for the French, Turkish
and Singapore air forces, as well as the Boeing 707 based
E-3 Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft
for the British, French, and Saudi air forces, and the 707-based
E-6A communications aircraft for the U.S. Navy.
# # #
For further information, contact:
Jamie Jewell
33.1.41.57.55.51
jamie.jewell@ae.ge.com
U.S.: 513.243.6890
Rick Kennedy
33.1.41.57.60.02
rick.l.kennedy@ae.ge.com
U.S.: 513.243.3372
Vincent Chappard
33.1. 41.57.55.30
vincent.chappard@snecma.fr
Paris: 33.1.40.60.80.18
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