Until the creation of the Mach 2 J79, most engines had been designed essentially independently of the aircraft they eventually powered. The J79 was the first GE engine designed with the sophistication provided by already developed and demonstrated components and advanced instrumentation techniques for projecting test performance.

The J79's first flight took place in Schenectady, New York in 1955. The J79 was placed in a bomb bay of a J47-powered B-45 Tornado. The engine was tested by lowering it from the bomb bay into the air stream. The four J47s were shut down and the J79 powered the B-45.

The J79 was first flown aboard the XF4D and later set a world altitude record at 91,249 feet and a speed record of more than 1,400 miles per hour in a F-104 Starfighter.

The J79 was later selected to power the F-4 Phantom. At the time of its introduction, the J79 was the most advanced turbojet ever designed. To date, more than 2,500 engines are still in service and are projected to continue through 2020.

Aircrafts Found On:
- B-58
- F-4
- F-104
- Kfir
- A3J Vigilante (RA-5)
- F-16/79

Introduction:
1954

Thrust Range:
17,820-18,730 lbs.

General Electric Transportation

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