NEWARK, Del. - Over the next five years, GE Aviation plans to invest $27 million in and add up to 70 jobs at its Newark, Delaware, facility. The facility currently employs 80 workers, and manufactures aircraft engine components made of ceramic matrix composites (CMC).
GE said that the planned investment will enable it to develop a "Lean Lab" at the Newark operation. GE's Lean Labs allow collaboration between engineering and manufacturing teams, which work together to demonstrate a component's manufacturing readiness before full-rate production.
Production technologies for CMC components are to be developed and proven in Newark prior to being transitioned to manufacturing facilities for mass production. GE said that demand for CMC components in jet engines is expected to grow tenfold over the next decade.
"This investment is a testament to GE's commitment to this advanced technology. The Newark team will play a vital role in the next generation of aircraft engines, and we're proud to be a part of it," said Jeff Wessels, plant leader at Newark.
GE intends to incorporate CMCs into the LEAP engine being developed by its CFM International joint company with Snecma. The LEAP engine is scheduled to enter airline service in 2016, and is slated to power the Airbus A320neo, the Boeing 737 MAX, and the COMAC C919. GE said that this will mark the first time that CMCs are used in a commercial engine.
Meanwhile, GE's new GE9X engine has been selected by Boeing for the 777X aircraft program. The GE9X, currently under development, is expected to incorporate several CMC components.
