Guy Norris/LOS ANGELES
Engine makers have started a three way fight to provide the powerplant for Airbus Industrie's proposed shortened 100-seat A319, amid growing indications that the consortium is searching for a sole source supplier.
The Airbus study is one option being pursued by the European consortium as it seeks to respond quickly to the launch of the Boeing 717. Its effect on work with Chinese and Singaporean interests to launch the AE31X family of regional jets is unclear.
Airbus is thought to be modelling the engine selection on that of the A340-500/600, which resulted in Rolls-Royce gaining an "effective" sole source role with its Trent 500. The move is part of efforts to bring costs closer to those reported for its chief rival, the 717. By restricting the engine choice to one, Airbus will be able to reduce programme development as well as certification costs.
The three engines under consideration are the BMW Rolls-Royce BR715, CFM International CFM56-5A/5B and Pratt & Whitney PW6000. BMW R-R is the only one of the three actively producing an engine for a 100-seater - the Boeing 717-200. The company confirms that it has been in discussion with Airbus over the study aircraft, dubbed internally the A319M5.
CFMI is not offering the CFM56-9 version proposed for the AE31X, but is instead discussing an "optimised" CFM56-5A or -5B. "Airbus seems to be approaching this from a family concept/commonality standpoint, which would take the overall thrust requirement above the CFM56-9's 23,000lb [102kN]," says CFMI. It adds that the use of the current Airbus narrowbody -5 series engine will "reduce cycle time and enable them to get to the market sooner". As now projected, the A319M5 is not expected to be available until at least mid-2000, a year behind the 717-200.
P&W is focusing efforts on the PW6000. The selection competition is more critical for P&W, which plans to develop the PW6000 and its recently announced PW8000 geared turbofan around a common core. The PW6000 core is under test, but, like the PW8000, has yet to find a launch platform. Its selection for the short A319 would pave the way for the higher thrust PW8000 on larger Airbus narrowbody types.
Source: Flight International
