GE Aerospace Tests Massive Engine on Modified Boeing 747 for Delayed 777X
GE Aerospace is testing its massive GE9X engine for Boeing's delayed 777X on a specially modified Boeing 747, known as a 'flying laboratory'. The plane has been used to test and certify engines for various aircraft, including the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737.
The GE9X engine is so large it can fit an entire Boeing 737 fuselage and holds the world record for the highest thrust recorded by a commercial jet engine. It's being developed for the 777X, which is expected to enter service in 2027 with German flag carrier Lufthansa.
The GE 747 has been instrumental in certifying engines and has racked up over 1,500 test flights during its second life with GE. The plane's cabin is filled with specialized test equipment that collects data on parameters such as thrust, fuel flow, and oil temperature.