Narrowbody Replacement Spools Up

Feb 10, 2009
By Robert Wall



Although Boeing and Airbus are being coy about when the respective 737 and A320 replacements will come to market, the airframers and potential aircraft makers are quietly stepping up efforts to birth the new programs.

On the engine side, CFM International, around mid-year, plans to run the core for the LeapX engine, the powerplant being devices as a potential follow-on for the CFM56 – the General Electric/Snecma joint venture also is doing work on open-rotor designs. Additionally, CFMI will do work to mature composite fan technology.

The activities parallel what rival Pratt & Whitney is doing, which says it has kicked off studies to see how the geared turbofan engines for the Bombardier CSeries and Mitsubishi Regional Jet would be updated for a A320/737 replacement. The goal is to improve the pressure ratio and add other technology enhancements.

Meanwhile, Airbus has been running wind-tunnel tests of potential configurations for its new aircraft. Those trials have been looking at unconventional aircraft designs, a company official says. Airbus, for some time, has been studying various different engine configurations that differ from the typical shape of its narrow and widebodies, with an eye on reducing noise or improving fuel burn. The aircraft maker hasn’t said what direction it plans to take with a new program. The latest comment on the timing for a A320 replacement comes from Airbus Chief Operating Officer For Customers John Leahy, who says the product will not be in service before 2020.

Photo: Boeing