Dubai Airshow: GE Aviation validates durability of GE9X with dust-ingestion tests

GE Aviation engineers injected a stream of dust debris into a GE9X test engine to analyse how it would perform throughout the entire flight envelope, from takeoff through cruising speed and landing.

“Our test findings further validate our confidence that the GE9X will meet the durability and reliability expectations of our customers upon entry into service,” said GE9X programme general manager Karl Sheldon. “After 1,600 cycles of test execution and post-borescope inspection, all components functioned as expected. A full module and component tear down will commence and complete by the end of the year.”

These test simulations represent the everyday flying the GE9X engine will perform in some of the harshest environments found around the world.

“We've learned a great deal over the years from our widebody engine programmes about ways to prevent hot and cold section engine degradation caused by sand and dust ingestion," Sheldon said. “The GE9X engine includes new, patented technology from these learnings that is specifically designed to keep dust and sand out of the engine.”