Summary

  • China developing CJ-1000A engine for Comac C919 to replace Western engines.
  • First test flight reportedly in March 2023 on Y-20 test aircraft.
  • Scheduled delays with original in-service date pushed to 2030 by Aviation Week in 2018.

China is working to develop its own aviation industry. A core part of having an independent aviation industry is being able to develop jet engines (this is very difficult). China is currently developing the AVIC Commercial Aircraft Engine Corporation CJ-1000A high-bypass turbofan engine (COMAC CJ-1000A). The CJ-1000A engine is intended for China’s domestically produced commercial COMAC C919 airliner. Until recently, China was unable to design, develop, and produce its own jet engines. Even Chinese-produced fighter jets all have Russian/Soviet-designed engines—except for the latest J-20 Mighty Dragons.

1

Developed for COMAC C919

The CJ-1000A engine is planned to replace Western engines used on the Chinese-produced Comac C919.

Entered service:

May 2023

Type:

Narrow-body airliner

Existing engine:

CFM International LEAP

The COMAC 919 is a narrow-body airliner and China’s answer to the Airbus A320. It has been in commercial passenger service since May 2023. However, it is powered by CFM International LEAP turbofan engines built by a joint Frano-American venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines.

A Comac C919 Airplane Operated By Comac (Reg B-001F) Landing At Tan Son Nhat International Airport_3_2_2449565827

Photo: Duc Huy Nguyen / Shutterstock

For the COMAC 919 to ever truly be a domestic Chinese airline, it needs to have Chinese engines. The sanctions that brought the production of Russia’s Superjet 100 to a stretching halt overnight highlight the need for China to have domestically designed and produced jet engines. Developing a competitive CJ-1000A engine for the COMAC 919 is pivotal to making the COMAC a true all-Chinese alternative to its Airbus and Boeing competitors.

Related

China’s New Narrowbody: 5 Fast Facts About The COMAC C919

China’s homegrown answer to Airbus and Boeing has much to offer the aviation industry.

2

Reportedly test flown in 2023

The first known CJ-1000A test flight was apparently in March 2023 with it in the engine no.2 position.

First test:

reportedly March 2023

Test bed:

Chinese Y-20 strategic airlifter

Result:

unknown

In March 2023, a video emerged on Chinese social media appearing to show the CJ-1000A high-bypass turbofan undergoing a test flight in the Chinese Shaanxi province. The video seems to show the engines being tested on a Xian Y-20 test aircraft (a strategic airlifter belonging to the AVIC Flight Test Center). The CJ-1000A was seen in the no.2 engine position

There was no official announcement of the test a year ago. The Y-20 is the Chinese successor to the Russian Ilyushin IL-76 testbed (it remains unclear if AVIC will continue to use Russian-built testbed aircraft). China is also hoping to power the first Y-20 soon using a Chinese-made engine (the AECC WS-20), but for now, they remain equipped with Russian engines.

3

Delayed

Reporting by Aviation Week in 2018 suggests the CJ-1000A engine is delayed by as much as a decade.

2020:

Original planned in-service date

2027:

Revised planned certification date

2030:

Revised planned in-service date

As expected with most advanced projects, the CJ-1000A has seen years of delays. It was originally planned to be in service by 2020, but that has been significantly delayed. According to Aviation Week, the delay is partly due to a new requirement to produce the engine with fully domestic parts.

Comac C919 in house colours in flight

Photo Aerospace Trek | Shutterstock

In 2018, Aviation Week reported that the engine’s planned certification date had been pushed back to 2027 and its introduction date to 2030. This would be eight years behind the original schedule. That report was six years ago, and it is unclear if that is still the planned schedule.

4

Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC)

The AECC is a state-owned organization working to develop China’s domestic aviation engine capabilities.

Type:

State-owned aerospace manufacturer

Employees:

approx. 96,000

Funded:

August 2016

The organization developing the CJ-1000A engine is the Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC). Established on August 28, 2016, AECC is a state-owned aerospace manufacturer focused on designing and developing aircraft engines and related technologies. It also produces gas turbines, aircraft power units, helicopter drive systems, and more.

C919 fleet 3 2

Photo: COMAC

According to the CAPA, the Chinese government expects AECC to accelerate the development of jet engines and improve China’s national and military power. China’s two main state aerospace companies are the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC).

Related

China Eastern’s COMAC C919 Will Make Its 1st Flight Out Of Mainland China

On May 28, China Eastern Airlines took delivery of its sixth COMAC C919 aircraft, still being the only airline in the world to operate the type.

5

An elite club

Only three companies are responsible for almost all Airbus and Boeing aircraft engines.

Leading engine manufacturers:

Pratt Whitney, General Electric, Rolls-Royce

Countries:

USA, UK

Market share:

GE 55%, Pratt Whitney 26%, Rolls-Royce 18%

Developing high-performance jet engines would place China in an elite club dominated by just three companies. The market for Boeing and Airbus commercial airliners is dominated by GE, P&W, and Rolls-Royce. These (along with their joint ventures) hold a nearly 100% market share of the commercial aircraft sector. Their respective market shares are 55%, 26%, and 18%. With the CJ-1000A engine, China seeks to join the commercial airliner club.

Engine in action shutterstock_134941835

Photo: Jaromir Chalabala | Shutterstock

When it comes to advanced fighter jet engines, the only countries able to produce them are the US (Pratt Whitney, General Electric, Honeywell, etc.), the UK (Rolls Royce), France (Safran), Russia (Aviadvigatel, NPO Saturn), and perhaps still Ukraine. Other countries, like India, are also working on developing them. China may have already joined the fighter jet engine club with its Shenyang WS-15 engine on the J-20.

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