In the 1960s, the United States began developing a supersonic transport (SST), the Boeing 2707. General Electric’s GE4 was intended to power the 300-seat airliner to a speed of Mach 2.7. Based on previous military engines, the GE4 was the largest straight turbojet engine ever built. Besides its powerful thrust and ability to withstand high temperatures associated with supersonic flight, it had a variable area exhaust nozzle with an integral thrust reverser.

Ground tests began in 1968. However, mainly because of economic and environmental concerns, the U.S. Senate canceled the American SST in 1971 by a 49 to 48 vote. The smaller Mach 2 Anglo-French Concorde, with its Rolls-Royce Olympus engines, was the only SST that achieved sustained commercial operation.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Date Circa 1968 Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Turbines (Jet) Manufacturer General Electric Aircraft Engines
 Physical Description Type: Turbojet Thrust: 305,133 N (68,600 lb.) with afterburning at 5,200 rpm Compressor: 9-stage axial Combustor: Annular Turbine: 2-stage axial Dimensions Length 752 cm (296.0 in.), Diameter 154 cm (60.6 in.)
 Materials Aluminum, Steel, Stainless steel, Paint, Inconel, Plastic, Copper, Titanium
 Inventory Number A19720761000 Credit Line Gift of the General Electric Company and NASA Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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