New airplane engine on an old plane
Jan 2, 2014, 4:34 am
#16
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: AA, DAL, blah, blah, blah...The usual.
Posts: 646
It happens more often that you might think....but not to old airplanes. Just old designs.
The MD-90 is a re-engine Super 80. (There are other changes, but the big one is replacing the old Pratts with V2500 fan jets). But those were all new-construction, not hanging new engines on an old airframe.
There have been numerous proposals to hang four high-bypass turbofans on the USAF's B-52 fleet, replacing the eight maintenance-intensive, fuel-thirsty smokers that currently reside there, but the Air Force has balked every time. That should give you an idea at the complexity and cost involved with truly re-engining an old airframe.
If the Air Force can't find the money to re-fit engines on airplanes they're planning on keeping in service for 100 years, airlines will be even harder pressed.
The MD-90 is a re-engine Super 80. (There are other changes, but the big one is replacing the old Pratts with V2500 fan jets). But those were all new-construction, not hanging new engines on an old airframe.
There have been numerous proposals to hang four high-bypass turbofans on the USAF's B-52 fleet, replacing the eight maintenance-intensive, fuel-thirsty smokers that currently reside there, but the Air Force has balked every time. That should give you an idea at the complexity and cost involved with truly re-engining an old airframe.
If the Air Force can't find the money to re-fit engines on airplanes they're planning on keeping in service for 100 years, airlines will be even harder pressed.
