CFM Innovation

FUEL

With fuel costs accounting for a larger part of single aisle aircraft operating costs, it is no surprise airlines are adding more fuel-efficient aircraft to their fleets. CFM's all-new LEAP engine will improve fuel efficiency 15% over current engines. LEAP's high bypass ratio architecture, lightweight composite fan blades & case, advanced 3D aerodynamic airfoils, debris rejection system, compressor efficiency and high thermal efficiency turbine materials are products of CFM's proven technology experience and new technology development.

RELIABILITY

Airlines operating single aisle aircraft often fly 7 to 10 flights per day. Small delays create large disruptions in service and increased cost to airlines. This creates a unique demand for engines powering these aircraft to be highly reliable and durable. CFM has over ½ billion engine flight hours of experience and has become the most reliable engine in this segment. Again, LEAP will continue this level of reliability by incorporating in-service experience in the design with new technologies that support reliability, durability and maintainability.

MAINTENANCE

Engine maintenance is a large contributor to aircraft operating costs. CFM56 engines have the longest time on wing and lowest maintenance costs in today’s market. Technologies such as composite fan blades, debris rejection, low temperature combustor, active turbine clearance control and more durable materials will allow LEAP to repeat as the lowest maintenance cost engine.

ENVIRONMENT

Although air travel remains one of the most environmentally efficient modes of travel as measured by passenger miles per gallon of fuel, there are many environmental challenges in developing new engines. Emissions of CO2 and NOx, and aircraft noise must be reduced to meet the world's expectation for constant improvement in these areas. LEAP will meet those expectations by delivering 15% lower CO2 emissions, 50% lower NOx emissions and a 75% reduction in the noise footprint vs. today's aircraft.

MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT

Carbon Fiber Composites: CFM and its parent companies have been leaders in high temperature and composite materials technology development for decades. The next generation of composite fan blade has been developed for the LEAP engine using a Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) process that makes the blades stronger and more durable. LEAP is an example of the new, highly efficient jet engines being designed with larger fan diameters that require the use of composite technology to provide strength, durability and aero efficiency without the burden of higher weight and lower durability of conventional metal fan blades and cases.

Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC): CFM is also the leader in development and incorporation of Ceramic Matrix Composites, which are capable of withstanding temperatures several hundred degrees higher than that of current Ni-base alloys. These materials have been proven in military and land based turbine applications and offer the promise of significant efficiency gains in aviation engine application. The LEAP engine will be the first commercial engine with CMC turbine components, with future plans to extend CMC use throughout the engine hot section.

Titanium Aluminide (TiAl): The Low Pressure Turbine (LPT) durable, lightweight materials with temperature TiAl offers half the weight of conventional metals with all the durability required in the LPT. Only CFM has this material ready for use in LEAP because a 30 year development program concluded with the successful introduction of the material into the GEnx in 2012.

AERODYNAMICS

CFM's commitment to advancing engine technology extends to aerodynamics. CFM has been a leading developer of advanced 3D aerodynamic blade design and was the first to introduce 3D aero compressors to single aisle aircraft engines. The LEAP engine will benefit from a state-of-the-art compressor design with the highest overall pressure ratio in its class and the weight reduction, simplicity and durability advantages of blisks (bladed disks).

LEAN COMBUSTION

LEAP will feature a breakthrough combustion technology, the Twin Annular Premixing Swirler (TAPS) combustor. CFM has been developing the TAPS technology for nearly a decade and when compared to the current CFM56-7B engine, LEAP will deliver more than 60% lower NOx, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

OPEN ROTOR / FUTURE

Although the LEAP architecture is the most suited to the re-engine applications of the 737 MAX A320neo and the C919, CFM continues to invest and develop alternate engine architectures. CFM will investigate innovative architectures building a robust portfolio that will support a variety of new aircraft designs.

CFM CELEBRATES ITS 1,001st INNOVATION

CFM International's advanced new LEAP engine includes technological innovations that combine the reliability and durability that are a CFM hallmark with low operating costs, greater fuel efficiency, and lower CO2 and NOx emissions.

CFM is celebrating its 1,001st innovation, demonstrating these benefits for its airline customers and to salute the work that thousands of people have done to develop the most advanced propulsion system in the industry today.