General Electric GE90 is a family of high-bypass turbofan engines built by General Electric for the Boeing 777, with thrust ranging from 74,000 to 115,000 lbf (329 to 512 kN). It was first introduced in November 1995 on British Airways' 777s, and is only available on the 777. The engine is one of three options for the 777-200, -200ER, and -300, and the exclusive engine of the -200LR and -300ER.
The GE90 series are physically the biggest engines in aviation history. They are also the most powerful, as GE90-115B holds the world record for the highest thrust rating, 127,900 lbf (569 kN), though is rated at 115,300 lbf (513 kN). The diameter of the engine (3.43 m) and nacelle are larger than the fuselage of a Boeing 737 (3.4 m).
They can only be airfreighted by outsize cargo aircraft such as the Antonov An-124 'Condor', presenting unique problems if a 777 is stranded due to emergency diversions. As a consequence, it incurs high preventive maintenance costs to minimise such risks.
It's Great Design Too: World's Biggest Jet Engine Fan Blade at The Museum of Modern Art (http://www.geae.com/aboutgeae/presscenter/ge90/ge90_20041116.html)
The GE90 was initially certified at 84,700 pounds thrust, but it is capable of thrust levels well beyond that.
In the GE90, the relatively cool bypass air is pushed rearward by a huge (123-inch-diameter) multibladed fan to mix with the hot exhaust gas; the result is a very large gain in overall thrust with minimal fuel expenditure.
In developing the GE90, the company drew upon technology gained from multiple sources, including the NASA experience; expertise acquired in building high thrust systems for military aircraft; and GEAE's development and manufacture--in cooperation with SNECMA of Franc--of the CF6 and CFM56 families of engines, which have years of service with many of the world's airlines.
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