General Electric F101
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Image:B-1B Lancer.jpg The General Electric F101 afterburning turbofan powers the B-1B Lancer strategic bomber fleet of the USAF. In full afterburner it produces a thrust of 30,000lbf.
The F101 was developed specifically for the Advanced Manned Strategic Aircraft, which became the B-1A. The F101 powered the four development aircraft from 1970 to 1981. The B-1A was officially cancelled in 1977, however as well as the continued flight test program General Electric was awarded a contract to further develop their F101-GE-102 engines. These turbofans eventually powered the B-1B from 1984, entering service in 1985.
The 30,000 lbf (133 kN) of thrust per the B-1B's four F101s have helped the aircraft win 61 world records for speed, payload and range. This range is intercontinental without the requirement for aerial refueling.
The F101 became the basis for the highly successful CFM56 series of civil turbofans.
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