GE Aviation is to invest $60m to refurbish a Boeing 747-400 aircraft and transform it into a new flying test bed.

The test bed will be used to test the next generation of jet engines, starting with the LEAP-X engine.

The 747 aircraft will include GE’s CF6-80C2 engines and replace the current 747 flying test bed.

GE will redesign and strengthen the wing and strut of the 747 aircraft to accommodate experimental engines of varying size and weight.

The company will also modify the plane’s interior and install data systems for testing and systems integration equipment to transform the aircraft into a flying test bed.

The refurbishment of the new flying test bed will take two years.