When asked what distinguishes our approach to truly integrated propulsion systems, I usually begin by explaining how Nexcelle benefits from the common operating practices shared with our partner companies – Middle River Aircraft Systems and Aircelle – which have been demonstrated and validated in the business activities of their corporate parents, GE and Safran.
An excellent example is shown in our ongoing relationship with CFM International, the highly-successful 37-year-old joint venture of GE and Safran that has become the reference in successful aviation industry collaboration – on which Nexcelle’s own operations are patterned.
We see daily benefits from these shared practices in our role as the nacelle developer for CFM International’s LEAP-X1C integrated propulsion system on the COMAC C919 jetliner, for which Nexcelle continues to successfully execute its technology roadmap.
This was evident at the most recent CFM International-Nexcelle quarterly session – called the Program Review Meeting (PRM) – which is part of the regular gatherings bringing together our senior leadership for a constant, open, flow of information. The latest CFM International-Nexcelle PRM was held at Snecma’s propulsion center in Villaroche, France, and covered topics ranging from engine and aircraft test plans to certification scheduling – all of which roll into the LEAP-X1C’s master integrated plan.
Such PRMs also allow us to focus on design evolution and tradeoffs, with everyone literally speaking the same language and working as one integrated team, thereby eliminating the barriers often found in a traditional prime contractor-supplier relationship.
Information discussed at these Nexcelle-CFM International PRMs builds on Nexcelle’s own quarterly Program Review Meetings, which are attended by key Aircelle and Middle River Aircraft Systems personnel from management, engineering, production, customer support, contracting and marketing.
The overall flow goes all the way up to the customer level in CFM International’s regular PRMs with COMAC – in which Nexcelle also participates – effectively closing the loop on one example of the effective operating rhythm framed by common operating practices applied across the LEAP-1X program.
