Like its larger and more well-known stablemate, the General Electric CF6 turbofan, the smaller CF34 engine that powers this Republic/Delta Connection Embraer E170 is every bit as significant in the annals of aviation powerplant history. The CF34 has its roots as the military TF34 engine that was developed in the late 1960s for the US Navy’s VSX competition that resulted in the Lockheed S-3 Viking patrol jet. With a core based upon the T64 turboshaft engine, the TF34 was designed for fuel efficiency given the long patrol missions expected from the S-3 Viking. The TF34 made its first flight the same year as the CF6 went into production for the Douglas DC-10. The TF34 was then selected to power the Fairchild Republic A-10 “Warthog" in 1973. The transition to the civilian world began when Canadair began work on the CL600 Challenger business jet- originally intended to use the Lycoming ALF502 (which powered the A-10’s competitor, the Northrop A-9 as well as the BAe-146), GE offered a developed version of the TF34 called the CF34. While common in large commercial airframes to offer engine options, the Canadair Challenger became the first business jet to offer customers a choice between the CF34 and ALF502. Originally criticized as being too overpowered for the first production Challenger, the CF34 offered growth potential that was a significant factor in the development of stretched Challenger derivatives that would become the CRJ series regional jets. The first production CF34 flew in 1983 on the Challenger. The first prototype CRJ flew in 1991 and in 1999, Embraer launched the E170 family with the CF34 engine as well. #Avgeek #aviation #aircraft #planeporn #KDFW #DFW #airport #igTexas #planespotting #airlines #Embraer #E170 #Republic #DeltaConnection #DFWavgeek #instagramaviation #Avgeekery #N882RW #splendid_transport #instaaviation #AvgeekSchoolofKnowledge (at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport)
