Today's Jet Engines
The most popular, strongest and largest
The most popular jet engine is called the GE90-115B a high
bypass turbofan engine. It was developed in 1990 from the NASA
1970's Energy Efficient Engine. It is also the largest and
most powerful commercial jet engine. It has a diameter of 135
inches and generates 510 kN (115,300 lbs) of thrust at sea
level. It holds the record for the most thrust generated at
569 kN (127,916 lbs!). The GE90-115B was designed specifically
for the Boeing 777 and is also the most environmentally
friendly engine, 33% more efficient than other high bypass
turbofans.The largest aircraft to hit the air
The Antonov An-225 Mriya is the largest aircraft to ever take flight. Developed by the Soviet Union in the 1980's the Antonov has a maximum takeoff weight of 710 tons. It requires 6 turbofan engines and has a thrust to weight ratio of 0.234 N/kg.
How Fast?
The NASA X-43 holds the record for the fastest airspeed
ever recorded at Mach 9.6 which is approximately 7,310 mph.
It is an unmanned aircraft that was powered by a scramjet
which are engines that are built specifically for speeds
above the speed of sound. Scramjets are a variation of a
ramjet which ae a variation of a turbojet without any moving
parts. They work by "ramming" air down the shaft of
the engine. Since they only work at high speeds they require
assisted takeoff. The supersonic combustion ramjet dubbed
scramjet was given its name because external combustion of
the air takes place at supersonic speeds.