Airbus today rolled out the first next generation CFM LEAP-1A turbofan engine powered A320neo from its final assembly line in Toulouse ...
The LEAP-1A is one of the two engine choices for the re-engined and improved A320neo (new engine option) along with the Pratt and Whitney PurePower PW1100 Geared Turbofan engine.
The PW1100 GTF powered A320neo achieved maiden flight in last September. The second Pratt & Whitney powered A320neo joined the fleet at the end of March. The LEAP powered A320neo will now proceed to ground tests ahead of first flight later this year.
The CFM LEAP family represents the engines of choice for the next-generation single-aisle aircraft. The LEAP-1A is an option on the Airbus A320neo; the LEAP-1B is the exclusive powerplant for the Boeing 737 MAX; and the LEAP-1C is the sole Western powerplant for the COMAC C919.
The 24,500-32,900 pounds thrust class LEAP-1A boasts up to 15% improvement in fuel efficiency compared to today's best CFM56 engines along with improved dispatchability and low maintenance.
Two engine families have contributed significantly to the design of the LEAP engine, the CFM56 and the GE90/GEnx series of engines. The GE90/GEnx contributed the high-efficiency core architecture to minimize fuel consumption, while the CFM56 legacy drove reliability and maintenance cost design practices.
The LEAP features lighter fan blades made of composite materials using proprietary woven 3D RTM (Resin Transfer Molding) process. These new composites on fan blades and other componenets reduce weight of each aircraft by about 1000 pounds (450 kg).
The new engines along with other improvements will result in a per seat fuel burn saving of 20 per cent compared to current engine option (CEO) A320 jetliners, along with additional range, reduced engine noise and lower emissions.
The LEAP is expected to enter revenue service in 2016 on the Airbus A320neo. CFM is 50-50 joint venture between GE and French Snecma.
