Consortium asks members to study modification of V2500 to power Canadian manufacturer's proposed 100-seater
A consortium of Japanese manufacturers is considering developing a new variant of the International Aero Engines V2500 for the proposed Bombardier 100-seater.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is also considering joining the Bombardier New Commercial Aircraft programme as a risk-sharing airframe supplier. The Japanese Aero Engines Corporation (JAEC), which supplies the V2500 fan and low-pressure compressor, has asked its member companies to study modifying it for a 100- to 135-seat aircraft. Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI), the lead supplier in the consortium with 13% workshare, has indicated new fan noise reduction technology it has studied could be applied. MHI and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), which have a 10% workshare combined, are also part of the effort.
Industry sources say JAEC has already begun discussing potential powerplants with Bombardier. JAEC believes a new larger version of the General Electric CF34 could be another alternative. JAEC supplies 30% of the CF34-8/10, which powers the Bombardier CRJ700/ 900, Embraer 170/190 family and China Aviation Industries I ARJ21.
IHI is also leading a seven-year study of an indigenous regional jet engine with JAEC, KHI and MHI. The initial one-year feasibility phase is complete and a three-year research phase has begun, focusing on compressor and turbine technology. A three-year engine demonstration period will follow, at which point a foreign partner may be brought aboard, and could lead to development of a new engine.
Sources say this engine has been ruled out for the new Bombardier airliner because the Canadian company prefers a proven powerplant and it will not be ready in time. But work done on the project, including the study of new component and fan technologies, can potentially be used in a new smaller variant of the V2500 with additional input from IAE partners MTU Aero Engines, Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce.
The Japanese engine has also been ruled out as a potential powerplant for an indigenous Japanese regional jet being studied by MHI. This study is focusing on 30-seat aircraft while the engine study is looking at the 50-seat market, with possible extension into larger regional jets if market conditions warrant it.
BRENDAN SOBIE / TOKYO
Source: Flight International
