In the early 1950s, the U.S. military established a requirement for a high thrust, low weight, mechanically simple jet engine that could perform efficiently at Mach 0.9 cruise and Mach 2.0 combat speeds.

In late 1952, General Electric's proposed J79 was selected and first ran in June 1954. A variable stator compressor made it possible to meet the difficult requirements, providing high pressure ratios with adequate stall margins for high performance aircraft over wide operating conditions. The J79 first powered an aircraft, a Douglas XF4D, in December 1955.

The J79 powered several production aircraft: Convair B-58 Hustler; Lockheed F-104 Starfighter; McDonnell F-4 Phantom II; and North American RA-5 Vigilante. The 1958 Collier Trophy was awarded to the Air Force, Lockheed, and GE team that developed the F-104 fighter, the world's first Mach 2 operational fighter.

This engine is one of two from the museum’s McDonnell F-4A Phantom II "Sageburner,"

 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 1958 Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Turbines (Jet) Manufacturer General Electric Aircraft Engines
 Physical Description Type: Turbojet Thrust: 45.814 N (10,300 lb) at 7,385 rpm Compressor: 17-stage axial Combustor: Cannular, 10 cans Turbine: 3-stage axial Weight: 1,646 kg (3,630 lb.) Dimensions Length 528.3 cm (207.96 in.), Diameter 95.6 cm (38.0 in.) (Approximate)
 Inventory Number A19690213004 Credit Line Transferred from Naval Air Systems Command Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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