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Aviation History
1996
1996 - 2681.PDF
HEADLINES Allison and BMW Rolls-Royce hold co-operation discussions ANDRZEJ JEZIORSKI/MUNICH ALLISON ENGINE, Rolls-Royce and BMW Rolls- Royce are set to co-operate in a three-way development of the US company's AE3012 turbofan. The engine is already a contender to power the Aero International (Regional) AIR 70 regional jet. Detailed talks now under way are expected to result in Allison contributing the core of the 45- 62kN (9,500-14,0001b)-thrust en gine from its AE3000 range. R-R, Allison's parent company, will supply fan-blade technology from its Tay engine and BMW R-R will supply the turbine section. The German company is almost certain to be responsible for the low-pres sure turbine and could produce the high-pressure section as well, using technology from its BR700 range of engines. Pulling together elements of three existing engines will cut development costs and lead times, the partners hope. BMW R-R confirms the talks, saying: "We are looking at the potential for co-operation with Allison on the [Allison] AE3012 turbofan". Al Novick, a senior vice- president at Allison, says that the talks centre on BMWR-Rproduc ing the turbine section of the engine. The German company has dropped an earlier proposal of its own BR710 turbofan, which was considered to be too big for the AIR 70 project. The AE3 012 will be in competi tion with General Electric's CF34- 8C, and a Franco-Canadian team ing of Snecma and Pratt & Whit ney Canada), proposing the new 62kNSPW14. AI(R) says that it will narrow down the powerplant competition to two candidates by the end of October. AI(R) hopes that the air craft will fly in mid-2000. • See Engine Directory, P29. MiG-29K makes re-appearance four years after the programme was grounded by the Russian navy Naval Mapo MiG-29 makes a comeback THE MAPO M1G-29K naval Fulcrum has re-appeared at an air show four years after being cold-shouldered by the Russian navy, which chose the Sukhoi Su- 27K to equip the carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, effectively ending the rival Mikoyan programme. Rumours attributed to MAPO sources were circulating at the GhelendjikHydroaviation show in September, suggesting that the company hopes to resurrect the programme because of apparent Indian interest in buying the moth- balled carrier Admiral Gorshkov. The MiG-29K carries a wide variety of air-to-air, air-to-surface and anti-ship missiles. The Indian navy is reported to be interested in a multi-role carrier-based fighter rather than a pure interceptor such astheSu-27K. Also at the show, Beriev an nounced that it had signed a letter of intent with IAR of Romania to launch series production of its Be- 32K regional turboprop at IAR's plant in Brasov. The Be-32K is powered by the Pratt-Whitney Klimov PK6 engine, a joint pro duction version of the P&WC PT6 which to be assembled in St Petersburg. The design bureau has transferred necessary documenta tion to its Taganrog production plant, but there are no funds to launch the aircraft in Russia. IAR, however, seems to be confi dent of the market demand for the Be-32Kand plans initially to invest $10-15 million in the project, hav ing presented bank guarantees at negotiations with Beriev. • See General Aviation, P20. Beriev's Be-32K is powered by the PWKlimov PK6 turboprop GE expands with overhaul buys in Malaysia/Brazil GENERAL ELECTRIC is forging ahead with interna tional expansion of its growing engine overhaul business, with deals agreed in the last few days to take controlling stakes in the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) engine- overhaul unit and Brazil's CELMA repair centre. Under an agreement under stood to have been signed between MAS chairman Tajudin Ramli and GE boss Jack Welch in New York, the US company will take a major ity 70% share in the carrier's Aircraft Engine Repair Operations (AERO) unit. As part of its recent restructur ing, MAS has been in discussion with GE and Pratt & Whitney to develop AERO, which has been turned into a separate company within the airline group. GE has also shown interest in expanding in the Asia/Pacific region, and there has been talk of investing in a joint venture in China. Once the deal is finalised, the aim is to increase the amount of work going through AERO's under-used Subang Airport plant, expanding its technical base and seeking new markets including India and China. AERO focuses on major overhauls for CFM Inter national CFM56s as well as Pratt & Whitney PW4056, PW4168 and PW125 engines. GE has also announced that it will take a 74% stake in CELMA, the Brazilian overhaul operation which was privatised in 1991. GE Engine Services already held a small 9.7% interest, but will now develop the plant as a "centre of excellence" in South America. Celma's sales are expected to be above $ 160 million this year, about half of which comes from over hauling P&W JT8Ds, although other work includes a range of civil and military engines, including the CFM56.;. GE has targeted overhaul and repair a| a central part of its busi ness. The GE Engine Services unit, which includes spares supply, now achieves annual sales of around $2 billion. • FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 9 -15 October 1996 5
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