AlliedSignal has launched full-scale development of an all-new engine family, the AS900 series. While Dominique Hedon, vice-president for commercial production, said "it is up to the airframers to talk about applications," it appears likely that the engine's first application will be a Bombardier "super midsize" business jet, a new development that is expected to be disclosed next month at the National Business Aircraft Association convention in Las Vegas.

"This is the biggest single investment within AlliedSignal," said AlliedSignal Engines president Steven Loranger, "and we are launching in great confidence that the market needs it."

The first version of the AS900 will be rated at 7,500-pound-thrust, Hedon said. The company has been working seriously on the engine for some time, and has already rig-tested some components. The first full engine will run in July 1999, and the powerplant is scheduled for certification in the first quarter of 2001.

Taiwan's AIDC, a longterm partner with AlliedSignal on the F124/F125 military engine family, will produce the AS900 fan module, accounting for 14% of the engine's value. Another risk-sharing partner is discussing an equal stake, and smaller partners may take another 6%, leaving a total of 34% of the program with partners.

AlliedSignal's aim from the outset has been to provide competitive performance, but the "highest possible thrust per dollar cost of ownership," Hedon said. The goal is to beat the ownership cost-acquisition, fuel and maintenance-of present-day engines by 30%. Integrated product teams are designing every part of the engine to meet that goal, using technologies such as large one-piece castings, integral blades and rotors, and high-work turbines with a minimum number of blades.

The initial engine can grow to 9,000-pound-thrust with a larger fan and added booster stages, says Hedon, and the family is also designed to reach down to 4,000 pounds; versions below 5,500 pounds will have significant core changes. Apart from a new business jet, early applications include an updated version of the Avro RJ series.

By Bill Sweetman