Mark Pilling
International Aero Engines was in a tough-talking mood yesterday at Farnborough, stating that when the market is ready for new generation narrowbody airliners, it will be ready with an engine to power them.
The IAE shareholders - Rolls-Royce, Pratt & Whitney, Japanese Aero Engines and MTU - reaffirmed their support for IAE and its project to develop an engine to power next generation narrowbodies.
Questions
IAE has been stung into action by questions about how committed it is to following up the success of the V2500 series, which has been capturing more than 50% of the available Airbus A319/320/321 market in the past few years.
John Cheffins, Rolls-Royce managing director, airlines, explains the thought process behind the announcement: "Firstly, we have all seen that IAE has been very successful. However, the market is saying that there will always be a CFM [engine], but is not sure whether there will always be a V2500.
"We are making a public statement that we believe IAE is a very good basis on which to continue," he says, adding that it was to an extent a confidence-building exercise.
"We and Rolls-Royce are fully committed to supplying the best technology to IAE for the future engine project," explains P&W president Louis Chenevert.
Although Rolls-Royce and P&W compete vigorously in thrust classes above and below the 22,000-33,000 lbs (98-146kN) V2500 range, there is no way they will compete in this sector, says Cheffin.
The partners do not envisage adding more risk-sharers to IAE to help finance or bring in technology for the new engine, says IAE president and chief executive Mike Terrett.
"The key point is that all the shareholders have the technology themselves," says Chenevert. "There is no need for us to seek new partners."
"This is a collaboration that is content with itself," adds Cheffin. IAE's task is to assess the various new technologies for the future engine, with a view to developing one that can be ready to enter service towards the end of this decade, says Terrett.
Although the airframers have plenty of other more pressing aircraft projects, such as the New Large Aircraft, to concentrate on, IAE is starting to talk them about the next generation of widebodies, he says.
Source: Flight Daily News
