This T700/CT7 is facing a long-term decline in demand. The family is on enough applications at this point that it is not dependent on any single program, but reduced defense spending on H-60 and H-1 rotorcraft by the U.S. Army and Navy, respectively, are bound to cut deeply into demand over time.

The U.S. Army and Navy are recapitalizing their respective fleets of Black Hawk and Seahawk helicopters, and the U.S. Marines are buying Bell AH-1Z helicopters. As these programs wind down, the production of T700 engines will inevitably decline. Demand from the rest of the world is significant, but not large enough to compensate for the reduced demand from the Pentagon.

The new rotorcraft that will replace these helicopters in the U.S. inventory are still in the early stages of development. These new models will feature different engines with more power than the T700 currently provides.

The U.S. Army is already looking at a 3,000-shp drop-in replacement for the T700 engine for its Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP). GE is working on a new engine designated the GE3000 as part of the program.

In the civil sector, the CT7 turboshaft models power medium to heavy rotorcraft. The decline in oil prices, which predates the economic impact of COVID-19, cratered demand from oil and gas support operators - the primary market for medium and heavy commercial helicopters. That will lead to reduced production of the CT7. Our forecast envisions a gradual recovery in the sector in the near term, but the segment may recover faster than we anticipate.

Source:  Forecast International
Associated URL: forecastinternational.com
Author: Douglas Royce, Aviation Gas Turbines 

"Today, we are introducing a new benchmark in business aviation," said Dassault Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier. "The Falcon 10X will offer an unrivaled passenger experience over both short- and long-duration flights, along with breakthrough safety features from Dassault's frontline fighter technology. We have optimized every aspect of the aircraft with the passenger in mind and established a new level of capability for ultra-long-range aircraft."

The cabin of the Falcon 10X is 2.03 meters (6.xx feet) high and 2,77 meters (9.xx feet) wide. Cabin volume is 2,780 cubic feet. The cabin is designed to feature a high level of modularity, with a selection of multiple interior configurations. The 10X can accommodate four cabin zones of equal length, but customers can also configure their cabin to create a customized interior. Passengers on the 10X will experience a 3,000-foot cabin pressure altitude while flying at 41,000 feet. A new filtration system will provide 100 percent pure air.

"The 10X will be more than just another big step forward in business aviation. It will be absolutely the best business jet available in the ultra-long-range category, and will remain so for a long time," said Trappier.

The Falcon 10X will feature an entirely new fuselage. A total of 38 large windows will line the fuselage. The aircraft's wing will be made of carbon fiber composites for maximum strength, reduced weight, and minimum drag. The very-high aspect ratio wing will be equipped with retractable high-lift devices intended to provide superior maneuverability at low approach speeds.

The twin-engine 10X will be powered by Rolls Royce Pearl 10X turbofan engine, which is currently in development. The Pearl 10X is the latest, largest, and most powerful member of Rolls' Pearl series, and delivers more than 18,000 lbst.

The flight deck of the Falcon 10X will have touch screens throughout the cockpit. The aircraft will be equipped with a new Digital Flight Control System, derived from Dassault's latest military technology, and will include a new single-button recovery mode.

A single smart throttle will serve as the primary power control, connecting both engines to the Digital Flight Control System, which will automatically manage the power of each engine as needed in different flight scenarios.

The Falcon 10X will also be equipped with Dassault's FalconEye combined vision system as well as dual HUDs that are able to serve as primary flight displays. Dassault said that the 10X will be capable of operating in essentially zero ceiling/visibility conditions.

"We have set the bar for our new Falcon incredibly high," said Trappier. "But I can confidently say that we have put this aircraft at the top of the market."

Source:  Dassault Aviation

Since the first LEAP-powered flight entered commercial service in August 2016, the engine program has grown exponentially. Nearly 1,400 LEAP-powered aircraft have been delivered to some 136 operators on five continents to date.

CFM is actively working to deliver on its clear ambition to build a more sustainable future, leading with the LEAP engine, which is providing operators a 15 percent improvement in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions compared to previous generation engines, along with dramatic reductions in noise emissions. All this technology is focused on providing higher utilization, including CFM’s historical reliability, greater asset availability, enhanced time on wing to help keep maintenance costs low, and minimized maintenance actions, all supported by sophisticated analytics that enable CFM to provide tailored, predictive maintenance over the life of the product.

The LEAP engine is a product of CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines. This engine has experienced the fastest order ramp up in commercial aviation history and CFM has delivered approximately 2,800 installed LEAP engines already to a total of 136 operators worldwide.

Source:  CFM Aero Engines
Associated URL: cfmaeroengines.com