On the Leading Edge: Combining Maturity and Advanced Technology on the F404 Turbofan Engine

The overall design concept of the F404 afterburning turbofan engine is reviewed together with some of the lessons learned from over 2 million flight hours in service. GE Aircraft Engines’ derivative and growth plans for the F404 family are then reviewed including the “Building Block” component development approach. Examples of advanced technologies under development for introduction into new F404 derivative engine models are presented in the areas of materials, digital and fiber optic controls systems, and vectoring exhaust nozzles. The design concept and details of the F404-GE-402, F412-GE-400, and other derivative engines under full-scale development are described. Studies for future growth variants and the benefits of the F404 derivative approach to development of afterburning engines in the 18,000-24,000 lb (80-107 kN) thrust class and non-afterburning engines in the 12,000-19,000 lb (53-85 kN) class are discussed.