General Electric CF6
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
The General Electric TF39 and CF6 family of high-bypass turbofan engines are the most popular large aircraft turbines in the world, powering civil and military widebodies from a variety of manufacturers. They also form the basis for the LM2500 and LM6000 marine turboshafts.
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Variants
TF39
The TF39 is a revolutionary 1960s engine rated from 43,000 to 46,300 lbf (191 to 205 kN) of thrust. It is the world's first high-bypass turbofan engine and the parent of the successful CF6 series. It employed a lot of then-new technological features such as:
- 1 1/2 stage fan blades (unique to TF39).
- 8-to-1 bypass ratio.
- Variable stator vanes.
- Turbines equipped with advanced cooling.
- Fuel efficiency better than any engines available at the time.
- Cascade-type thrust reversers.
Since its introduction, the TF39 has benefited directly from CF6 design technology: components, materials, processes, manufacturing techniques, and repair processes.
CF6-6
The CF6-6 was a development of the military TF39.
CF6-50
The CF6-50 series are high-bypass turbofan engines rated between 46,000 to 54,000 lbf (205 to 240 kN) of thrust. The CF6-50 was developed into the LM2500 industrial and marine turboshaft engines.
It was launched in 1969 to power the long range McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 It was derived from the earlier CF6-6, which powered the DC-10-10.
In late 1969, the CF6-50 was selected to power the then new Airbus A300. Air France became the launch customer for the A300 by ordering six aircraft in 1971.
In 1975, KLM was the first airline to order the Boeing 747 powered by the CF6-50. This led further developments to the CF6 family such as the CF6-80.
CF6-80
The CF6-80 series are high-bypass turbofan engines with a thrust range of 48,000 to 75,000 lbf (214 to 334 kN). It is an advanced development of the earlier successful CF6-50 series engine. Despite superficial resemblance to the CF6-50, it is a completely new engine with no interchangeable parts. It is divided into 3 distinct models.
CF6-80A
The CF6-80A, which has a thrust rating of 48,000 to 50,000 lbf (214 to 222 kN), powered two twinjets, the Boeing 767 and Airbus A310. The GE-powered 767 entered airline service in 1982, and the GE powered A310 in early 1983. It is rated for ETOPS operations.
CF6-80C2
The CF6-80C2, which entered revenue service in October 1985, has a thrust rating of 52,500 to 63,500 lbf (234 to 282 kN). It has a reputation of good fuel economy in its thrust class. The CF6-80C2 is certified with 16 different thrust ratings. This versatile engine has the most widespread use of any large turbofan engine.
The CF6-80C2 is currently certified on 11 widebody aircraft models including the Boeing 747 and McDonnell Douglas MD-11. The CF6-80C2 is also certified for ETOPS-180 for the A300, A310, and Boeing 767 aircraft.
CF6-80E
The CF6-80E1 is specifically designed for the Airbus A330, with thrust rating of 67,500 to 75,000 lbf (300 to 334 kN).
The industrial and marine development of the CF6-80, the LM6000 Series, has found wide use including fast ferry and high speed cargo ship applications.
Applications
- TF39
- CF6-6
- CF6-50
- McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30
- Boeing 747
- Airbus A300
- Lockheed C-5M Galaxy
- McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender
- Boeing E-4B NAOC
- VC-25, or Air Force One
- CF6-80
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