Despite the fact that Airbus's current plan for the A350 is for a larger airplane than the 787, GE plans to use the same basic core/fan GEnx powerplant on both aircraft, said Tom Brisken, GEnx GM for GE Transportation. The GEnx-72A is planned to produce 72,000 lb. of thrust for the A350, at the high end of the 55,000-72,000-lb. range expected for the 787 family. While the GEnx currently is seen to have thrust growth capability to 75,000 lb., that estimate may move upward after the first examples are run next March, Brisken said. One major difference between applications will be the addition of bleed air ducts at the 4th and 7th compressor stages to support the A350's pneumatic and air systems. Exhaust gas temperature margins will remain the same, he said. Airbus has decided to mount the GEnx in a manner very similar to the 787 using the fan and gearbox locations. The version envisioned for the 747 Advanced will use the same core but with a smaller fan, low-pressure turbine and booster to create a powerplant conforming to the 747 design yet capable of producing an 8,000-nm range and meeting Heathrow's QC2 noise limits, Brisken added.
by J.A. Donoghue
ATWOnline




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