News
COMAC C919 deal for GE engines threatened
February 21st 2020
The U.S. could block General Electric from selling engines to Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) for its C919 narrow-body aircraft, it was reported this week. Read More »
Reuters news agency and the Wall Street Journal wrote the U.S. government was considering the restriction as part of moves to limit the sale of technology to Chinese firms, citing unnamed sources.
"The issue is expected to come up at an interagency meeting about how strictly to limit exports of U.S. technology to China on Thursday and at another meeting with members of President Donald Trump’s cabinet set for February 28, sources said," the Reuters report said.
The C919, which is in development, uses the Leap-1 engine from CFM, a joint venture between GE and France-based Safran. It also powers the A320neo family of aircraft and the 737 MAX lineup.
While the C919 is a Chinese aircraft, the bulk of its components are sourced overseas. In addition to the CFM Leap-1 engine, the auxiliary power unit is from GE, the flight control system is made by U.S.-based Parker Aerospace and the engine thrust reversers are from France-based Aircelle.
The C919 program has six aircraft in its flight test fleet. All have Leap-1 engines that were supplied under an export licence renewed in March 2019, FlightGlobal reported.
GE told FlightGlobal it would "aggressively protect and defend our intellectual property and work closely with the U.S. government to fulfill our responsibilities and shared security and economic interests”.
COMAC has secured about 1,000 orders for the C919 from 28 customers, mainly Chinese airlines and leasing companies. Entry into service was expected in the 2021 to 2022 timeframe. Apart from the CFM Leap-1 engine, China-based AECC Commercial Aircraft Engines was working on a CJ-1000AX high-bypass turbofan engine for the C919.
