Story ID: 969 Mascot2
CFM Plans Fan Demonstrator Testing
By: Ian Goold
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Word Count: 231
CFM International, the General Electric/Snecma joint venture, expects to begin a second phase of ground testing for its 3-D woven resin transfer molding fan with its Moteur à Aubes de Soufflante en Composite Taille (Mascot) 2 fan-demonstrator engine. The fan is “foundational technology” for the CFM Leap engine that is scheduled to enter service in 2016.

Testing of the Leap fan has been “a total success thus far,” according to CFMI executive vice-president Cedric Goubet. “We have been developing this for nearly two decades and our testing has confirmed that the fan will deliver on the commitments we have made to customers. This light-weight structure is proving to be incredibly durable and virtually maintenance free.”

Some 50hr of Mascot 2 testing has validated fan performance and stall and flutter margin, with the hardware meeting pre-test predictions, according to joint-venture partners.“The next phase will include crosswind and acoustics testing at GE’s outdoor test facility near Cincinnati.” CFM has completed a fan blade-out rig test, simulating certification requirements, and has completed full-scale component tests, including bird-ingestion.

Gradual release of detailed engineering drawings is under way, supporting the manufacture of components for the first full Leap-1B for testing in mid-2014 and flight testing in the following year ahead of planned 2016 certification. As many as 30 engines of all variants may be used in the 40,000-cycle test program.