Paul Lewis/SINGAPORE
IPTN has formally asked competing European and US engine manufacturers to submit their proposals for an engine to power its planned new N2130 jet-powered aircraft family.
The Indonesian manufacturer has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to BMW Rolls-Royce, CFM International and Pratt & Whitney. The three companies have been given until September to respond, and a final selection is planned for early in 1998.
According to N2130 programme executive vice-president Ilham Habibie, an engine in the range of 85-102kN (19,000-23,000lb)- thrust is required to power the 114-132-seat aircraft. IPTN is planning to produce two baseline versions, the N2130-100 and stretched -200, as well as two increased gross weight variants (Flight International, 5-11 March).
IPTN has asked for a 1.42m-diameter fan to fit the aircraft's low underslung wing design. "We want to have as low a gear as possible for aircraft serviceability. We think this is quite important and very beneficial to airline operations," explains Habibie.
BMW R-R plans to offer its new BR715 series engine, a 1.47m- fan diameter version of which is to power the McDonnell Douglas MD-95-30. CFM International is to propose the new CFM56-9 lightweight derivative of its CFM56 family, while Pratt & Whitney is also looking for a launch platform for the planned PW6000.
The selection criteria will be based primarily on the basis of low cost and reliability, says IPTN. The three rival suppliers have also been asked to offer a range of options for possible Indonesian industrial participation.
IPTN has not ruled out offering the N2130 with a choice of two engines, but it depends on whether a risk and revenue-type exclusivity deal can be reached with a single supplier. "We know that the airlines want a choice. However, if the engine manufacturers can give us a very good offer, we might think differently," says Habibie.
The engine is the first of four critical long-lead items to be sourced for the N2130. The company expects to issue RFPs for the landing gear, flight-control system and avionics. Aerospatiale/ Sextant, Dassault, GEC/Lucas/ Lieberr and Lockheed Martin are expected to compete for the fly-by-wire flight-control system.
Source: Flight International
