September 13, 2004 -- East Hartford, CT and Evendale, OH -- The Engine Alliance has named the GE Engine Services facility in Wales as the first link in the Engine Alliance worldwide network of service centers for the new GP7200 engine powering the Airbus A380.
"The Engine Alliance is unique because it can call on the best resources of both Pratt & Whitney and General Electric to support our customers worldwide," said Lloyd Thompson, president of the Engine Alliance. "We will use our parent company facilities best suited logistically and geographically to provide our customers world-class overhaul and repair capability for their engines. Our goal is to not only provide an excellent engine for the A380 but to back it up with reliable, cost-effective overhaul and repair."
The GE Wales facility will offer customers a full range of overhaul and repair services. In addition to its experience with the GE90, on which the GP7200 core is based, GE Wales is geographically located to support the Engine Alliance's initial customers.
The Engine Alliance will manage aftermarket services for the GP7200 engine and will add other MRO facilities to its support network as the GP7200 prepares to enter service in 2006 with Dubai-based Emirates Airlines.
The GP7200 is the market leading powerplant for the Airbus A380 having secured over 60% of the engine orders. It benefits from the heritage of the highly successful GE90 and PW4000 families. Building on the GE90 core and the PW4000 low-pressure system, the GP7200 is a refined derivative with an infusion of new, proven technologies. The engine features a hollow-titanium, swept wide-chord fan; a five-stage low-pressure compressor; a nine-stage high-pressure compressor and a two-stage high-pressure turbine scaled from the GE90-115B; a low-emissions single annular combustor that will meet future emissions regulations with substantial margin; and a six-stage low-pressure turbine.
MTU of Germany, Snecma Moteurs of France and Techspace Aero of Belgium are revenue-sharing participants in the GP7200 engine program.
The Engine Alliance, a 50/50 joint venture between GE Transportation - Aircraft Engines and Pratt & Whitney, was formed in August 1996 to develop, manufacture, sell, and support a family of modern-technology engines for new high-capacity, long-range aircraft.
Rick Kennedy
GE Aviation
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