Authority to offer granted aiming for 2010 service entry, initially with GEnx engines
General Electric has reacted to its defeat at the hands of Rolls-Royce in the race to secure lead-engine status on the Boeing 7E7 by grabbing pole position on the rival Airbus A350. The European manufacturer last week secured authority to offer its new twinjet family to airlines from shareholders EADS and BAE Systems.
Airbus confirms the A350 will be offered in two basic versions - the 245-seat, three-class -800 and larger, 285-seat -900 - and is available for service entry in the first half of 2010. The models offer maximum ranges of 15,900km (8,600nm) and 13,900km, respectively.
The launch powerplant for the A350 will be GE's GEnx 72A1. "Paired with the new nacelle and using a pylon design initially developed for the A380, the A350 will deliver the exceptional level of fuel economy necessary for efficient medium-capacity long-range operation," Airbus says. The engine - to be rated at around 72,000lb thrust (320kN) - will feature a bleed-air system unlike the version for the 7E7.
Airbus forecasts demand for 3,100 aircraft over the next 20 years in the 250-300 seat category, of which it expects to secure "at least 50%".
Airbus says the A350 will incorporate "a high percentage of lightweight structural materials, such as carbonfibre reinforced plastic [CFRP] and aluminium-lithium alloys. For example, the A350 wing will be largely manufactured using CFRP. Furthermore, the A350 wing will deliver exceptional low and high-speed efficiency thanks to cutting-edge design and manufacturing techniques and the integration of 'droop nose' technology from the A380."
R-R says: "We are working closely with Airbus to reach a position where we can potentially have a Trent derivative offered on the A350. Discussion with Airbus will no doubt include the question of timing in terms of the availability of our engine on early deliveries of the aircraft."
ANDREW DOYLE / LONDON
Source: Flight International
