In 1946, GE proposed to the Army Air Forces the more powerful and fuel efficient TG-190 (later J47) engine to replace its J35 turbojet. An axial-flow compressor was chosen because it offered higher pressure ratios, more power, and overall better performance. First tested in mid-1947, the J47's first flight was a year later in the North American XF-86. An Air-Force-owned facility in Evendale, Ohio, was made available to GE; and, in early-1949, the new plant shipped its first production J47 engine.

At the outbreak of the Korean War, Packard and Studebaker were also licensed for J47 production; and, when production ended in 1956, more than 35,000 J47s had been manufactured, making it the most mass-produced turbojet in history.

This artifact powered the Boeing B-47. J47's also powered the North American B-45 Tornado, North American F-86 Sabre Jet, North American FJ-2 Fury, and Republic XF-91. The J47 provided boost power for the Consolidated-Vultee B-36 and Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker.