Snecma will this summer begin running the first of eight Silvercrest turbofans taking part in the engine certification programme for Cessna's newly announced Longitude twin-engine business jet.
The two-spool 11,000lb (49kN) thrust engine will feature a 5.9:1 bypass ratio using a 1.08m (42.5in) diameter 20-blade Snecma-built fan, a four-stage axial compressor built by Techspace Aero, a single-stage centrifugal compressor built by Turbomeca and a single-stage high-pressure turbine and four-stage low-pressure turbine, both built by Snecma. Snecma will also build the full-authority digital engine controller for the turbofan.
Francois Planaud, Snecma's executive vice-president of commercial engines, says Cessna will provide the nacelle and thrust-reverser for the aircraft, which will enter service in 2017. He says Snecma is not a risk-sharing partner with Cessna on the programme.
Following first-engine-to-test operations this summer, Planaud says Snecma will transition in the first quarter of 2013 to in-flight testing on its Gulfstream III testbed at the company's base in Villaroche, France.
Officials say the engine will have a 15% lower specific fuel consumption than other engines in the 11,000lb-thrust class, with on-condition maintenance that requires no hot section inspection, and real-time flight monitoring, diagnosis and prognosis.
Source: Flight Daily News
