Guy Norris/LOS ANGELES
CFM International is offering an upgraded version of its CFM-56-5B, as a power plant contender for the Airbus A321-200, a heavier 89t growth version of the Airbus A321.
The 142kN (32,000lb)-thrust engine, dubbed the CFM-56-5B3/P, incorporates the CFM56-5B/P core on which ground tests are expected to begin this month.
The same core, which was formerly known as the CFM56-3BX, will also form the basis for the CFM56-7 now being developed for the Boeing 737-600/700 and -800 versions.
The key change to the new core is the use of revised compressor and turbine blade designs produced from three-dimensional analysis techniques.
Rig tests of the high-pressure (HP) turbine were completed in February, and further "back-to-back" HP turbine and HP compressor component tests were carried out in May.
"The results showed that we were overly conservative in our performance estimates and we over-achieved our expected cycle improvements," says CFM56-5 programme general manager, Mike Charrier.
The first "full-up" CFM56-5B/P tests will take place at Snecma's Villaroche site in France. Flight-test hardware being developed in General Electric's Cincinnati, Ohio, factory will later be delivered to Airbus in Toulouse in December, for tests aboard an A320 twinjet.
Airbus is set to begin the 40h flight-test programme in February 1996, and continue through to the end of June.
The engine for the heavier A321 is scheduled to undergo a 65 flight-hour test programme in April 1996.
This is expected to end in September 1996, and is forecast to show at least a 3% improvement in specific fuel consumption.
Improvements developed in the -5B/P programme will be available as standard production-line items for all versions of the CFM-56-5B family from April 1996. The higher thrust -B3P will include the improved core from the start.
Source: Flight International
