Italian engine subsystems manufacturer Avio is finalising its workshare on the General Electric GEnx engine for the proposed Airbus A350 and Boeing 7E7, revenue from which will replace income from the General Electric CF6-80 in its portfolio.
The GEnx family will form the largest component of Avio's investments this decade, with its contribution to the engine development and certification programme likely to reach around $1 billion over the next five years. Avio vice-president for commercial engines Franco Rodi says break-even is not expected for 12-15 years. In September, Avio signed a memorandum of agreement to produce around 12% of the GEnx. The company will develop and manufacture the accessory drive train and the low-pressure turbine (LPT) module as the main elements of its share, and says it will have settled on the final configuration of each by year end. The Milan-based company is developing the LPT module in collaboration with Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI), each being responsible for around 50%. "IHIwill do the rotating parts, we'll do the static parts. That's pretty much how we've split it," says Rodi.
The GEnx will replace the CF6 in Avio's business plan. The CF6 represents about 10% of revenues and Rodi says the GEnx will account for a similar proportion from 2010. He adds that the real value will come from aftersales and support. "The market for this size of aircraft is expected to be more than 2,400, to be shared between the 7E7 and A350." Avio also has collaborative programmes with Rolls-Royce on the Trent 900 for the Airbus A380 and on the GE90, as well as on the Pratt &Whitney Canada PW150 and PW308 regional jet engines.
JUSTIN WASTNAGE / MILAN
Source: Flight International
