FARNBOROUGH July 19, 2004 CFM International's advanced CFM56-7B engine will power the U.S. Navy's new Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA). The U.S. Navy aircraft development contract, awarded in June of this year, could eventually include up to 108 airplanes.
CFM International (CFM) is a 50/50 joint company between Snecma Moteurs (Safran Group) and General Electric Company. CFM is part of the Boeing-led MMA team that also includes Northorp Grumman, Raytheon, and Smiths Aerospace.
The Boeing 737 MMA is a derivative of the Next-Generation 737-800, also powered by the CFM56-7, with increased gross weight capability. The aircraft is designed to perform anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare missions, as well as reconnaissance and surveillance missions. Seven test aircraft will be produced during the program's System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase. The first MMA is scheduled for delivery to the U.S. Navy in 2009, with flight tests scheduled to begin that year. The first operational aircraft is scheduled to enter service in mid-2012.
The CFM56-7 engine that will power the Boeing 737 MMA is the same engine that powers the Boeing 737 Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft, as well as the Navy's C-40 transport aircraft. The MMA engines will be rated at 27,300 pounds (121 kN) takeoff thrust and will meet MMA's demanding electrical output requirements to support flight deck and mission system operations.
The CFM56-7 is one of the world's most reliable engines. More than 3,000 engines have been delivered to date, and the fleet has logged more than 30 million flight hours while maintaining an industry-leading 0.002 in-flight shutdown rate per 1,000 flight hours. This rate translates to one event every 500,000 flight hours.