Originally Posted by
Fiordland
If they are forced to change to the NG engines that is significant rework. There is a lot of aerodynamic optimization that goes into airflow around the wing and the engine. Who knows if such a configuration is sufficiently fuel efficient to make it economically viable.
Well, there should be. Sometimes you don't bother and just poorly implement software - in secret, mind you - and obligate pilots with hundreds of hours of flying time to be forced to try and debug that in less than 4 seconds.
But sure. They could do the aerodynamic work.