EVENDALE, Ohio - GE Aerospace is implementing design and component upgrades to its CFM International LEAP turbofan engines, saying the fixes will raise long-term durability to levels on par with the prior-generation CFM56.
The move directly addresses recent technical challenges and material degradation that have forced airlines to pull the advanced engines for maintenance overhauls sooner than expected. The durability shortcomings have particularly affected operators in hot and dusty regions such as the Middle East, where internal engine temperatures can hit 1,650 degrees Celsius (3,000 degrees Fahrenheit) and cause plastic deformation in the turbine blades.
To address the issues, GE is rolling out high-pressure turbine updates for the LEAP-1A, which powers Airbus A320neo family jets, and is preparing a similar enhancement package for Boeing 737 Max LEAP-1B engines later this year. Executives say the hardware modifications, which include adjustments to blade tips, trailing edges, and cooling paths, will double the time between overhauls for operators.
The company is also working to fix a separate fuel nozzle "coking" flaw by introducing a reverse bleed system that injects cooler air after shutdown to prevent heat-induced fuel evaporation and thrust restrictions.
The engineering push comes amid a broader internal restructuring and supply chain stabilization effort after GE spun off its non-aviation businesses to become a pure-play aerospace firm.
