China has unveiled a turbofan engine that it is developing in a further sign the country is putting more emphasis on systems development.
Aviation Industry Corporation of China unveiled at the Zhuhai air show a turbofan that its business unit, Aviation Engine Industry Corporation, is developing.
It is "a high bypass-ratio turbofan engine" that can power commercial aircraft, says AVIC, adding that "the engine consists of a one-stage fan, a three-stage pressurising compressor, a seven-stage HP compressor, a short annular combustor, a single-stage HP turbine, a three-stage LP turbine, a simple convergent nozzle and full authority digital electronic control".
AVIC says Aviation Engine Industry Corporation is responsible for design and research for the yet-to-be named engine, while AVIC subsidiary Shenyang Liming Aero Engine (SLAE) is responsible for manufacturing, sales and service.
This approach reflects AVIC's new structure and approach to product development, it adds.
Previously SLAE would have developed the engine, but under AVIC's new company structure AVIC's engine development capabilities are grouped under Aviation Engine Industry Corporation.
China in the past has often relied on engines from Russia and the USA to power its high-performance military and commercial aircraft respectively, but AVIC in more recent times has been telling overseas suppliers it wants to be more involved in the development of aircraft engines, avionics and other important systems.
Source: Flight International