GE.

The Royal Saudi Air Force has selected GE's F110 fighter engine to begin to re-engine its twin-engine Boeing F-15S aircraft. The agreement calls for the purchase of 65 of GE's F110-GE-129C engines and a logistic support package, with deliveries to begin in 2008, at a total value of more than $300 million. The Royal Saudi Air Force decision marks the first time an F-15 operator has switched engine models. For more than 20 years, GE's F110 family has been the best-selling engine on single-engine F-16C/Ds worldwide, including in the Middle East. Recently, the F110 engine has made important progress in powering the twin-engine F-15. The F110 was first selected for 40 F-15K aircraft in 2002 by the Republic of Korea Air Force, followed by Singapore's selection last year for its new F-15SG fleet. In 1999, the US Air Force completed o highly successful field service evaluation of the F110-GE-129 powering the F-15, during which time the engine surpassed 1,900 engine flight-hours. First flight of the Korean F-15K occurred in early 2005. The F110-GE-129 engine model to power the Royal Saudi aircraft incorporates GE's Service Life Extension (SLEP) hardware, which includes the core of a successful CFM56 commercial engine, 3D aero technology and upgrades to the combustor and high-pressure turbine. The enhancements can help provide up to a 25 percent improvement in cost-per-flying hour, a significant on-wing increase and elimination of special inspections. The Saudi re-engining programme represents the third-F-15 customer for the GE F110 engine.