EVENDALE, OHIO -- October 29, 2012 - Mitsui & Co. Ltd. and GE Aviation today announced a strategic partnership to support the development of key advanced technologies for GE's next-generation of large commercial engines, including the engine study called the GE9X. Terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.
"Mitsui has a solid understanding of the aerospace industry," said David Joyce, President & CEO for GE Aviation. "This strategic partnership will enhance our development efforts and enable us to provide our customers with the most fuel-efficient, reliable and durable engines for their next-gen aircraft."
"We were interested in expanding our aerospace business," said Ichizo Kobayashi, General Manager of Mitsui's Aerospace & Marine Division. "GE is one of the world's leading aerospace companies and is an ideal partner to help us meet our goals."
The strategic partnership further expands GE's relationship with Mitsui. Last year, Mitsui and GE Capital announced a strategic relationship through which Mitsui established an investment management program to co-invest alongside GE Capital in U.S. commercial finance assets. In addition, Mitsui and GE Capital are exploring global opportunities in areas such as financing for original equipment manufacturers.
GE Aviation is in the midst of an aggressive technology and material development program for future commercial engines, including the GE9X. One example of advanced materials is the work being done with ceramic matrix composites or CMCs. GE has been developing CMCs for more than 20 years and will be incorporating the advanced material into next-generation engines, such as the GE9X. The benefits of CMCs include reduced weight, enhanced performance and improved durability.
Testing continues on advanced technologies for the next-generation engine to power the next-generation of long range wide-body aircraft. The GE9X engine will offer 10% percent fuel improvement over today's GE90 engines. Key features of the engine include: 4th generation composite fan blades and composite fan case, high pressure compressor driven by new aerodynamics technology and 4th generation powder metal material, TAPS III combustor, high pressure turbine with CMCs and enhanced titanium aluminide (TiAl) LPT airfoils.
The GE9X will follow the highly successful GE90-115B engine that entered service in 2004 on the Boeing 777. Today's GE90-115 engines have been enhanced to reduce fuel burn by 3.6% from the 2000 launch specification. More than 1,500 GE90-115B engines have been ordered by customers for their Boeing 777-300ERs, 777-200LRs and 777 Freighters.
About GE Aviation
GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings. For more information, visit us at http://www.ge.com/aviation. Follow GE Aviation on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GEAviation and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/GEAviation.
About Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
Utilizing its global operating locations, network and information resources, Mitsui & Co. is multilaterally pursuing business that ranges from product sales, worldwide logistics and financing, through to the development of major international infrastructure and other projects in the following fields: Iron and steel products, mineral and metal resources, infrastructure projects, motor vehicles, marine and aerospace, chemicals, energy, foods & retail, consumer services, information, electronics and telecommunications, financial markets and transportation logistics. The company is based in Tokyo, Japan. For more information, please visit Mitsui's Web site: http://www.mitsui.com/jp/en/index.html
