CFM International (CFMI) is stressing fleet-commonality benefits to the US Air Force in its bid to re-engine almost 200 Boeing KC-135E, RC-135, E-3 and Northrop Grumman E-8 aircraft.
The company's response to the USAF's request for an "alternate propulsion-system assessment" will be complete in the "March-April timeframe", according to CFMI military-transport engine programmes general manager Karl Matson. Other engines on offer for the contract are the International Aero Engines V2500, BMW Rolls-Royce BR700 series and the Pratt & Whitney JT8D-200. The deal was originally sparked by R-R's unsolicited proposal to re-engine the Boeing B-52 bomber fleet with RB.211-535s.
The military CFM56-2, the F108, is proposed for up to 15 E-8s, 33 E-3s, 23 RC-135s and 114 KC-135Es. Some F108 re-engine work has been funded for the RC-135s and the KC-135Es. The latter have been re-engined once with former civil JT3Ds. CFMI has re-engined 412 KC-135Rs.
The company is also optimistic that the selection of the Boeing 737-700/C-40 as the US Navy's McDonnell Douglas C-9 replacement will mark the start of another military market. Although only two CFM56-7-powered C-40s have been sold, it is hoped that the numbers will grow quickly as the 30 C-9s are phased out.
Source: Flight International
