Re-Engined A320 to be Announced

[J]

After months of consideration, European planemaker Airbus is expected to announce as soon as Wednesday that it will offer an updated version of its popular A320 single-aisle jet with more efficient, state-of-the-art engines supplied by General Electric Co. and Pratt & Whitney, according to people familiar with the plans.

The decision will put additional pressure on rival Boeing Co. as it ponders the future of its competing 737. Boeing has said that it is unlikely to offer new engines on the plane, but may instead design an entirely new single-aisle jet that could enter service by the end of the decade.

For Airbus, a unit of European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co., the decision to offer new engines on the current A320 means that a brand new replacement is unlikely to come before 2025, company officials have said.

Airbus hopes that by offering a new engine and other small upgrades to the A320 it can boost sales and extend the life of its most popular product before having to undertake a costly new design program.

The new engines, offered by rivals GE and Pratt, a unit of United Technologies Corp., are still in development and testing. The Geared Turbofan from Pratt is expected to be available first; GE's LeapX engine will be certified later.

Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... 02382.html

[Procede]

Airbus A320neo to enter service in 2016

Airbus has confirmed the launch of its A320neo, or new engine option, for entry into service in 2016.

Airlines will have a choice between the CFM International LEAP-X and Pratt & Whitney's PurePower PW1100G powerplants. The A320neo will also incorporate "sharklet" wing-tips that help to save fuel, says the airframer.

...

Source: FlightGlobal

[J]

The Empire Strikes Back

Boeing dismissed a decision by European rival Airbus to upgrade its A320 single-aisle passenger jet on Wednesday, saying the move was driven by a need to catch up with Boeing's 737 airliner.

It said it was still studying whether to follow Airbus in upgrading with new engines or going for an all-new plane, which analysts say would take several years longer, but was meanwhile improving performance.

"We continue to make continuous improvements to the Next-Generation 737," a spokesman said in an emailed response.

The Next-Generation 737 or 737NG is a version of the narrowbody airliner introduced in 1998.

"The 737NG is significantly more fuel efficient than the A320," the spokesman said. Airbus executives argue their plane is more efficient when comparable models are contrasted.
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6B01RI20101201

[Ancient Mariner]

The Empire Strikes Back

Boeing dismissed a decision by European rival Airbus to upgrade its A320 single-aisle passenger jet on Wednesday, saying the move was driven by a need to catch up with Boeing's 737 airliner.

It said it was still studying whether to follow Airbus in upgrading with new engines or going for an all-new plane, which analysts say would take several years longer, but was meanwhile improving performance.

"We continue to make continuous improvements to the Next-Generation 737," a spokesman said in an emailed response.

The Next-Generation 737 or 737NG is a version of the narrowbody airliner introduced in 1998.

"The 737NG is significantly more fuel efficient than the A320," the spokesman said. Airbus executives argue their plane is more efficient when comparable models are contrasted.
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6B01RI20101201

Based on the progress of NMLiner Boeing should announce the decision on the 737's successor around 2020 and have the Titanic-too flying circa 2035 or thereabouts. Probably powered by bungee cords.
Per

[flyboy2548m]

Based on the progress of NMLiner Boeing should announce the decision on the 737's successor around 2020 and have the Titanic-too flying circa 2035 or thereabouts. Probably powered by bungee cords.
Per

Concur. By which time there will be specimens of the re-engined A320 scattered around the world in various stages of disrepair.

[Ancient Mariner]

Based on the progress of NMLiner Boeing should announce the decision on the 737's successor around 2020 and have the Titanic-too flying circa 2035 or thereabouts. Probably powered by bungee cords.
Per

Concur. By which time there will be specimens of the re-engined A320 scattered around the world in various stages of disrepair.

I suppose that will happen when you rely solely on 'murican engines.
Per

[Half Bottle]

Is this not an odd time to be touting re-engineering an Airbus for a "better" engine?

[OldSowBreath]

EADS announces new flight system:

via UPI (as reported in the December 2010 Sky Mall magazine)

EADS, and its Airbus subsidiary, announced a new flight control system to be installed on all of
its existing and new aircraft by 2015. The new system, Fly-By-Hope (FBH) is a state of the art,
pilot desired, aircraft positioning device. A new cockpit computer, known as the Onboard
Navigation and Aircraft Notification device (ONAN) combined with a modified lie-detector
machine, receives continual input from the pilot and co-pilot’s innermost thoughts to correctly
configure the aircraft for whatever flight envelope is currently desired for optimum performance.
For example, if a pilot is thinking, “I hope I’m aligned on the right fuckin’ runway”, Onanism
will correctly position the aircraft for the desired touchdown. Or, if the plane is not responding
to pilot manual flight control input and the pilot thinks, “I wish I knew what the f*** it is doing
now”, ONAN will correctly flash on the nav screen the word “Stalling.”. Additionally, in violent
turbulence, a pilot may be thinking, “At least I hope they find the fuckin’ Black Box!”,
then immediately, the Black Box will be jettisoned with a brightly colored parachute and
floatation device.

In response to the news, France immediately ordered a nationwide 24 hour strike.

In other news, Airbus announced it is replacing all of its Rolls Royce Trent turbofan engines
with 2 cycle LawnBoy lawnmower engines. EADS stock rose 2.53 Euros in early London
trading.

[Verbal]

Funny how AirBus never touts dispatch reliability when comparing the A320 to the 737.

[flyboy2548m]

Is this not an odd time to be touting re-engineering an Airbus for a "better" engine?

Or touting Airbus anything, for that matter.