CF6

The CF6 is a family of high-bypass turbofan engines designed and manufactured by General Electric Aircraft Engines (now GE Aerospace). It was developed to provide a scalable, reliable powerplant for large commercial aircraft, and it has become one of GE’s most enduring engine lines. The CF6 uses a two-spool, axial-flow configuration with a large-diameter fan and a high bypass ratio, optimized for durability, fuel efficiency, and long service life. Over its life, the family has been updated through several major variants to meet evolving performance targets and regulatory requirements.

Major branches include the CF6-50 and CF6-80 series, with multiple sub-variants that offer different thrust levels and efficiency improvements. The CF6-80 family, in particular, introduced higher thrust ratings, improved core efficiency, and modernized controls, while later versions added further gains in performance and emissions reductions. Throughout its service life, the CF6 has benefited from ongoing remanufacturing and lifecycle-extension programs to extend service life and reduce operating costs.

Operational use: The CF6 has powered a wide range of civil aircraft since its introduction and remains in active service through ongoing maintenance and upgrade programs. It has competed with other large high-thrust turbofans such as the Pratt & Whitney PW4000 and the Rolls-Royce Trent families.

See also: GE Aviation, CF6-80, CF6-50, PW4000, Trent.