The General Electric CF6 is a high-bypass turbofan family that established GE in the commercial widebody market. The CF6-6 entered service on the McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10 in 1971, drawing on technology from the military TF39. Later versions powered Airbus and Boeing aircraft as the family expanded in thrust and application.[1]
First commercial generation
United Airlines and American Airlines selected the CF6-6 for their DC-10-10s in 1968. The original engine occupied the approximately 40,000 lbf thrust class. The CF6-50 increased output into the 46,000–54,000 lbf range and gained applications on the DC-10-30, Airbus A300 and Boeing 747, substantially widening the engine's customer base.[2]
Twinjet development
The CF6-80A was selected for the Boeing 767 and Airbus A310. Both it and the later CF6-80C2 subsequently received 180-minute extended-range twin-engine operations approval on the 767. The CF6-80E1, developed specifically for the Airbus A330, entered service in 1994. These programmes connected the CF6 with the transition from early widebody trijets and four-engined aircraft toward long-range twins.[1]
Mechanical evolution
GE's comparison of family members shows changes beyond thrust rating. The CF6-80C2 uses a single fan stage, four booster stages and a fourteen-stage high-pressure compressor, followed by a two-stage high-pressure turbine and five-stage low-pressure turbine. The original CF6-6 had a different compressor arrangement. Such changes allowed successive engines to meet new airflow, efficiency and aircraft-installation requirements.[2]
Cargo and military use
The family acquired a substantial freight role as passenger aircraft were converted and new freighters were built. The CF6-80C2 also re-engined the C-5M Super Galaxy, bringing a design descended from TF39 technology back to the Galaxy family. GE's 2021 retrospective recorded the retirement of the original CF6-6 fleet that June, after its final period powering FedEx DC-10 freighters.[1]