Following the analysis of millions of hours of engine field data, CFM recently announced that it is now offering an upgraded high-pressure turbine (HPT) blade that has been designed to enhance the durability of its CFM56-5B and CFM56-7B engines. Updates include increased wall thickness, optimised dovetail loading, and tightened manufacturing tolerances — all while maintaining the fuel-burn benefit achieved with CFM56 Tech Insertion blade configurations launched in 2007.
Jacey Welsh,
GE Aerospace’s CFM executive vice president (CFM56), said: “These upgraded CFM56-5B/-7B HPT blades are designed to keep our customers flying with OEM parts they know and trust. Many of our customers are transitioning their narrowbody fleets and the new CFM56 HPT blade can help them to extend time on-wing to optimise cost of ownership and enhance the residual value of their engines.
We are also providing attractive upgrade options to customers operating older CFM56 configurations.” The new HPT blades are being produced in Greenville, South Carolina, a GE Aerospace facility with 250 employees that has manufactured HPT blades for a diverse portfolio of commercial and military engines for more than a decade. On average, the site ships 1,000 parts per day and 250,000 parts per year.
Jérôme Morhet, CFM executive vice president at
Safran Aircraft Engines, concluded: “With more than 1.2 billion engine flight hours logged, the CFM56 engine delivers for our customers 24/7, 365 days a year. We continue to invest in both product and support upgrades for this fleet. With the introduction of the new HPT blade, we are focused on building inventory to support our customers’ future shop visits.”