CFM International has begun ground testing of its first LEAP-1B aircraft engine that will power the Boeing 737 MAX. CFM is conducting ground-based engine testing at a Safran facility in Villaroche, France. According to Boeing, the engine testing began three days ahead of schedule, and has completed a series of break-in runs, as well as reaching full take-off thrust.
"We are really excited to have this engine on test. Now that we are running at full power, we can really see what it is capable of," said Cédric Goubet, executive vice president for CFM. "All of the testing we have done to date has validated the technology choices we made. The LEAP-1B engine will deliver everything we have promised and more."
Boeing's 737 MAX is projected to be 14 percent more fuel efficient than the current in-service Next-Generation 737s. First delivery of the 737 MAX is scheduled for 2017.
Along with the update on LEAP-1B progress, Boeing also issued the following statement about the 737 MAX's projected efficiency against the competing Airbus A320neo, powered by the PurePower PW1100G-JM engine from Pratt & Whitney.
The LEAP-1B engine, installed in a test cell at Snecma (Safran) facilities in Villaroche, France, successfully completed a series of break-in runs before reaching full take-off thrust. Photo, courtesy of Boeing.
"The 737 is more fuel efficient than the A320 today and will be more fuel efficient than the A320neo tomorrow. Airlines operating the 737 MAX will see an 8 percent operating cost per seat advantage over the A320neo," the company said.
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