The first CFM56-5C/P engine is on schedule to begin ground testing in November, paving the way for engine certification in late 2002 and entry into service on the Airbus Industrie A340 in 2003.
CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between Snecma Moteurs (Safran Group) of France and General Electric of the United States, provides the sole powerplant for the Airbus A340-200 and A340-300 aircraft. The engine, which will be completely interchangeable with current configuration CFM56-5C engines, incorporates the advanced three-dimensional aerodynamic (3-D aero) high-pressure compressor and high-pressure turbine originally developed for the CFM56-5B/P powerplant for the A320 family. A new stage one low-pressure turbine nozzle is being developed to integrate with the engine's current low-pressure turbine.
CFM is undertaking an extensive test program that will include four test engines and two flight test programs. CFM plans to run more than 400 hours of certification ground tests, which will include: performance, operability, mechanical response, control system and ingestion testing. The flight test programs, which are scheduled for the second quarter 2002, will encompass 100 hours of performance and operability tests on an A340 aircraft.
To demonstrate the engine's long-term durability and reliability prior to entry into service, CFM is going beyond the normal certification test requirements and will conduct an extended endurance test program that will simulate many years of severe field operation. The ground test program, which will encompass several thousand engine cycles, is scheduled to begin in mid-2002.