International Aero Engines V2500

V2500 powered bmi Airbus A320-232

The V2500 is a two-shaft high-bypass turbofan engine which powers the Airbus A320 family (A320, A321, A319 and the Airbus Corporate Jet), and the McDonnell Douglas MD-90 family. International Aero Engines is a group of four aero-engine manufacturers, formed in 1983 to produce the engine. The companies and their responsibilities are listed below,
*Pratt & Whitney
Combustor and HP turbine
*Rolls-Royce
HP compressor
*Japanese Aero Engines Corporation (Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries)
Fan and LP compressor
*MTU Aero Engines
LP turbine

FAA flight certification for the V2500 was granted in 1988.

The V2500 incorporates technologies developed by the partner company engines such as the Rolls-Royce RB211's hollow wide-chord fan blades and the Pratt & Whitney PW4000's "floatwall" combustor. Technology for the 10 stage HP compressor was derived from the Rolls-Royce RC34B research programme started in the 1960's.

The partners in the Japanese Aero Engines Corporation originally collaborated with Rolls-Royce in the late 70's to develop the 20000lbf thrust RJ500 for commercial aviation's most successful platform, the Boeing 737-300, but the RJ500 programme was cancelled after two engines had been rig tested.

Attention was then focused on developing an engine in the 25000lbf thrust class for the 150 seater market. Pratt & Whitney, MTU and FIAT joined the consortium shortly afterwards. V denotes the five original partners, whilst 2500 symbolizes the original thrust level of 25000lbf. FIAT later withdrew from the consortium.

The V2500 is a more advanced engine than the RJ500. The fan is larger in diameter. An additional zero-stage and 3 booster stages behind the fan raise the overall pressure ratio. Because of the higher bypass ratio, there are two extra LP turbine stages, making five in all.

V2500 variants in service are -A1 (A320), -A5 (A319/A320/A321/ACJ) and -D5 (MD-90) offering thrust levels of between 22,000 lbf and 33,000 lbf (100 to 150 kN) and are Stage 4 noise compliant.

More than 1050 V2500 powered aircraft (RR figures) have been delivered, accumulating more than 33 million flight hours. IAE's 80 customers include regional and large international carriers from 35 countries. In 2003 IAE's market share for the A320 soared to 83%. For comparison, however, CFM56-5 series engines power approximately 1450 A320 family aircraft currently in revenue service with 130 operators, and have accumulated 50 million flight hours and 30 million cycles. The Airbus designator for any aircraft equipped with IAE engines is "3"; eg. A319-132 or A321-231.

The IAE group have not offered an engine for the Airbus A318, leaving the market to the CFM International CFM56 and Pratt & Whitney PW6000.

External links

* Concourse Article on the V2500
* Home Page of the V2500 series
* Rolls Royce V2500 page
* Pratt & Whitney V2500 page
* MTU V2500 page