GE looks to build ‘ultimate’ jet engine

"We are taking this technology to the next step," said project manager Abe Levatter. "The name of the game here is fuel economy. We are looking at fuel savings of 25%, which is huge. That extra fuel gives a military jet up to 35% more range. That's key to mission capability." GE has invested billions to develop the latest high bypass turbofan engines. The research has embraced new manufacturing technologies and led to new materials, including ultra strong but lightweight ceramic matrix composites. The company is now applying this know-how to the next generation military engine so that it can automatically switch between high power and high efficiency modes. Engineers designed the new engine, which includes parts made from ceramic composites and intricate 3D printed cooling components, to be easy to fly. "We want the engine to take care of itself and let the pilot focus on the mission," Levatter explained. "When the pilot says 'I'm out of danger, I want to cruise home,' the engine reconfigures itself. We take it upon ourselves to make the engine optimised for whatever the pilot wants." GE is now testing the engine's core components and plans to run a full engine test in the middle of 2013.