GE Aerospace’s Passport engine, which entered service in late 2018 on the Bombardier Global 7500, is preparing for its next iteration on the upcoming Global 8000. This update is expected to enhance the aircraft’s speed to Mach 0.94 and extend its range to 8,000 nautical miles, compared to the Global 7500’s Mach 0.925 and 7,700 nautical miles.
Jennifer Ratica, president of Passport and CFE for GE Aerospace, emphasized that the upgrade involves software alterations rather than modifications to the “turbo-machinery.” Ratica explained, “Those changes are going to unlock some potential that we had already designed into our engine.”
GE Aerospace is collaborating with Bombardier to finalize the engine designation. Ratica expressed enthusiasm about the performance enhancements, stating, “We’re really excited to see the ability that it will allow in increased thrust. It will improve our [specific fuel consumption], which will enable the aircraft to go 8,000 nautical miles.”
Although final numbers were not disclosed, Ratica noted, “As with all GE engine programs, we build in additional thrust capability, and [the] engine’s specific fuel consumption has continued to exceed our expectations since entry into service.” The aircraft has already surpassed the supersonic threshold in testing, a prerequisite for certifying its speed at Mach 0.94.
The Passport engine’s design originally included the potential for enhanced performance, with sufficient margins to achieve the speed and range objectives. Ratica described the changes as a software “plug,” adding, “From an engine perspective, the changes are minor.” The Global 8000 program will also feature several other upgrades unrelated to the engine.
The forthcoming advancements in the Global 8000 and its engine reflect the ongoing evolution and refinement within aerospace technology, promising notable improvements in performance and efficiency.
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