MOSCOW -- A prototype of the Yakovlev SJ-100 regional juet featuring domestically produced Aviadvigatel PD-8 engines conducted its first flight on April 23. United Aircraft stated that this prototype is the first SJ-100 to combine the Russian-built airframe with Russian-built engines.

The SJ-100 is a successor to the Superjet 100, and this flight represents a key step in replacing foreign-made components. The 40-minute flight took place from Komsomolsk-on-Amur. During the test, the aircraft reached a maximum altitude of 3,000 meters (9,850 feet) and speeds up to 270 knots.

United Aircraft began flight-testing the PD-8 engine on a modified Superjet 100 in March of this year. The prototype that flew on April 23, 2025, designated MSN97003, is the closest to the intended serial-production configuration. State technology firm Rostec reported that approximately 40 systems on the original Superjet 100 have been replaced with domestically produced systems. This third prototype will be used to test the interaction of the PD-8 engines with domestic on-board systems.

United Aircraft is aiming to complete SJ-100 certification tests by the end of this year, with deliveries planned to begin in 2026.

Source: Flightglobal
Associated URL: https://www.flightglobal.com/air-transport/fully-substituted-sj-100-prototype-carries-out-maiden-flight/162715.article
Author: David Kaminski-Morrow 

CINCINNATI, Ohio - CFM International, the joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, experienced a 13% year-on-year decrease in LEAP turbofan deliveries during the first quarter of 2025, shipping 319 units compared to 367 in the same period last year. This dip comes despite the engine manufacturer's ambitious goal to increase full-year shipments by 15-20%.

GE Aerospace attributed the delivery slowdown to persistent supply chain disruptions during its first-quarter earnings call on April 22nd. However, the company highlighted recent progress in the rollout of a crucial LEAP durability update aimed at enhancing the lifespan of engine components.

Despite the initial delivery setback, CFM remains optimistic about achieving its increased production targets for the year, requiring the delivery of 1,618 to 1,688 LEAP engines after shipping 1,407 units in 2024. GE Chief Executive Lawrence Culp expressed confidence in meeting the 15-20% delivery growth. A key factor supporting this ramp-up is the ongoing incorporation of a certified "durability kit" into all LEAP-1A engines destined for Airbus's A320neo family. This kit features redesigned high-pressure turbine blades with a simpler design for easier production, along with new high-pressure turbine stage one fuel nozzles and nozzle supports, specifically addressing durability concerns experienced in dusty operational environments.

The durability enhancements are also being developed for LEAP-1B engines powering Boeing's 737 Max. According to Culp, the updated turbine blades will not only improve engine longevity, aiming for "CFM56 levels of time-on-wing," but also contribute to accelerating production rates. However, some industry experts remain skeptical about the long-term durability of newer generation turbofans like the LEAP and Pratt & Whitney’s PW1000G compared to their predecessors like the CFM56, citing their hotter and higher-pressure operating conditions.

Source: Flightglobal
Associated URL: https://www.flightglobal.com/engines/cfm-q1-leap-deliveries-decline-year-on-year-but-1a-durability-fix-now-standard/162698.article

ARLINGTON, Va - For the first quarter of 2025,RTX reported sales of $20.3 billion, up 5 percent compared to sales of $19.3 billion in the first quarter of 2024. Net income for the quarter was down 10 percent to $1.5 billion compared with $1.7 billion in the same period a year ago.

"We are off to a strong start to 2025 with 8 percent organic sales growth* and 10 percent adjusted EPS growth*, including 120 basis points of segment margin expansion* in Q1," said RTX President and CEO Chris Calio. "Organic growth was broad based and led by strength in commercial aftermarket, which was up 21 percent year-over-year driven by continued demand for our industry leading products and solutions."

"The current environment is clearly very dynamic, but our company is well positioned to perform operationally and our teams remain focused on executing on our commitments and delivering our robust backlog."

Company backlog for the period was $217 billion, including $125 billion of commercial and $92 billion of defense.

For 2025, the company is currently forecast adjusted sales of $83.0 - $84.0 billion, including 4 to 6 percent organic growth.

INDUSTRY SEGMENTS

Collins Aerospace

Collins Aerospace first quarter 2025 reported and adjusted sales of $7,217 million were up 8 percent versus the prior year. Excluding the impact of divestitures, the increase in sales* was driven by a 13 percent increase in commercial aftermarket, a 10 percent increase in defense, and a 2 percent increase in commercial OE. The increase in commercial aftermarket sales was driven by continued growth in commercial air traffic. The increase in defense sales was driven by higher volume across multiple programs and platforms, including multiple Command, Control, Communications, Cyber, and Intelligence programs, the Survivable Airborne Operations Center program, and F-35.

Collins Aerospace reported operating profit of $1,088 million was up 28 percent versus the prior year. On an adjusted basis, operating profit of $1,227 million was up 17 percent versus the prior year. Operationally, the increase was driven by drop through on higher commercial aftermarket and defense volume. Reported operating profit in Q1 2024 included charges related to unfavorable purchase commitments and an impairment charge as a result of initiating alternative titanium sources, while reported operating profit in Q1 2025 included higher restructuring charges associated with cost transformation initiatives.

Pratt & Whitney Pratt & Whitney first quarter reported and adjusted sales of $7,366 million were up 14 percent versus the prior year. The increase was driven by a 28 percent increase in commercial aftermarket, a 4 percent increase in military, and a 3 percent increase in commercial OE. The increase in commercial aftermarket was driven by higher volume and favorable mix across both Large Commercial Engines and Pratt Canada, while the growth in commercial OE was driven by increased deliveries. The increase in military was driven by increased engine deliveries on the Tanker program and higher volume on the F135 Engine Core Upgrade program.

Pratt & Whitney reported operating profit of $580 million was up 41 percent versus the prior year. Increased deliveries in Large Commercial Engines was more than offset by drop through on higher commercial aftermarket volume and favorable commercial aftermarket mix. Lower R&D expense more than offset higher SG&A expense. On an adjusted basis, operating profit* of $590 million was up 37 percent versus the prior year.

Raytheon

Raytheon first quarter reported and adjusted sales of $6,340 million were down 5 percent versus the prior year. This decrease was driven by the impact from the divestiture of the Cybersecurity, Intelligence and Services business completed at the end of Q1 2024. Excluding the impact of the divestiture, sales were up 2 percent versus the prior year*. Operationally, the increase was driven by higher volume on land and air defense systems, including international Patriot and LTAMDS, which was partially offset by lower development program volume within air and space defense systems.

Raytheon reported operating profit of $678 million was down 32 percent versus the prior year primarily due to the absence of the prior year $375 million net gain on the sale of the Cybersecurity, Intelligence and Services business. On an adjusted basis, operating profit* of $678 million was up 8 percent versus the prior year. The increase was driven primarily by favorable mix and improved net productivity, which was partially offset by the absence of profit from the Cybersecurity, Intelligence and Services business which was divested at the end of Q1 2024.

Source: Forecast International
Associated URL: www.rtx.com