Aviation & Aerospace · World War I origins · independent since 2024

GE Aerospace

From turbosuperchargers to the engines that power modern flight.

Operates today as GE Aerospace.

Vintage-style artistic recreation of GE's historic businesses.

Business history

GE's aviation story began during World War I with turbosupercharger work for aircraft engines, led by engineer Sanford Moss.

In 1942 GE built the I-A, the first jet engine to fly in the United States, powering the Bell XP-59A.

The aviation business operated for decades as GE Aviation and became GE Aerospace, the aerospace-focused public company retaining the NYSE ticker GE after GE Vernova separated on April 2, 2024.

Historical references

Business history reference

Subsidiaries, acquisitions & joint ventures

Joint venture · 1974 – present
CFM International
50/50 joint venture between GE and France's Snecma (now Safran) that produces the CFM56 and LEAP engines.
Ownership outcome: Still a 50/50 GE Aerospace–Safran joint venture.
Source
Joint venture · 1996 – present
Engine Alliance
Joint venture between GE and Pratt & Whitney that developed the GP7200 engine for the Airbus A380.
Ownership outcome: Still a GE Aerospace–Pratt & Whitney joint venture.
Source
Acquired · Acquired 2002
Unison Industries
Maker of engine ignition, sensing and electrical components, acquired by GE in 2002.
Ownership outcome: Part of GE Aerospace.
Source
Acquired · Acquired 2007
Smiths Aerospace
Avionics and aerostructures business bought from Smiths Group in 2007, renamed GE Aviation Systems.
Ownership outcome: Part of GE Aerospace.
Source
Acquired · Acquired 2013
Avio Aero
Italian maker of aero-engine parts, bought by GE in 2013.
Ownership outcome: Part of GE Aerospace.
Source
Acquired · Acquired 2016
Arcam & Concept Laser (GE Additive)
3D metal printing companies bought in 2016 to form GE Additive.
Ownership outcome: GE Additive was renamed Colibrium Additive in 2024 and stays with GE Aerospace.
Source