GE Aerospace defence contracts now include a U.S. military award worth up to USD 2.9 billion for F414 engine parts and a separate hypersonic test-vehicle program.
The U.S. Department of Defence awarded GE Aerospace the performance-based logistics contract for components supporting F414 engines used by the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler.
The contract runs through August 2031 with no option periods, according to the Pentagon notice. GE Aerospace said the F414 has powered the Navy aircraft for more than 20 years.
The company said the new agreement will support fleet readiness and continued engine sustainment. GE is also increasing production of its older F404 engine, which will power aircraft including the U.S. Air Force’s T-7 Red Hawk trainer.
Company officials said output could roughly double over the next five years, although GE did not provide exact production rates.
The company is also studying additive manufacturing for legacy engine parts as it looks for ways to increase production and reduce component weight and cost.
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Separately, the Pentagon’s Defence Innovation Unit selected GE Aerospace for the Hypersonic and High-Cadence Airborne Testing Capabilities program.
GE will act as the prime contractor for an all-up-round hypersonic test vehicle using a solid-rocket booster and a dual-mode ramjet. A GE spokesperson said the next phase will run about 24 months and include flight testing.
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Steve Russell, vice president and general manager of GE’s Edison Works unit, said the company is focused on propulsion and test-bed integration rather than producing a hypersonic weapon.
