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The F110 is an afterburning turbofan produced by General Electric.
F-14
The F-14A entered service with the U.S. Navy in 1973 powered by Pratt & Whitney TF30s. By the end of the decade, following numerous problems with the original engine (and similar problems with P&W's F100 on the F-15 and F-16), the DoD began procuring the upgraded TF30-P-414A's. While these engines solved the serviceability problems, the fuel consumption and thrust was comparable to the inital model.
In 1984 the F110-GE-100 was selected and designated the F110-GE-400 in Navy service. The new engine provided 23,100 lbf (103 kN) of thrust compared to the TF30s maximum thrust of 20,900 lbf (93 kN). These upgraded jets were known as F-14Bs, as were production aircraft powered by the F110. The same engine also powers the latest variant of the aircraft, the F-14D.
F-15
The F110-GE-129 will power the F-15K fleet of South Korea and is the first time production F-15s will be powered by the GE engine.
F-16
The F-16 entered service powered by the Pratt & Whitney F100 afterburning turbofan. Seeking a way to drive unit costs down the USAF implemented the Alternative Fighter Engine (AFE) program in 1984, under which the engine contract would be awarded through competition. The F-16C/D Block 30/32s were the first to be built with the common engine bay, able to accept the existing engine or the GE F110.
The GE F110 provides 5,000 lbf (22 kN) more thrust than the P&W F100 and requires more air, which lead to the increase in the area of the engine intake. Initial orders were for the F110-GE-100 rated at 28,000 lbf (125 kN). From 1992 the F110-GE-129 was offered, delivering 29,000 lbf (129 kN) thrust. Since entering service on the F-16, the F110 has won approximately 80% of the engine orders from F-16 customers, which include:
- Turkish Air Force,
- Greece,
- Japan Air Self Defence Force,
- Royal Oman Air Force.
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