Engines
C919 to have integrated propulsion
China’s homegrown Comac C919 will be the first airliner in the world to fly with a truly integrated propulsion system (IPS) combining engines with nacelles

China’s homegrown Comac C919 will be the first airliner in the world to fly with a truly integrated propulsion system (IPS) combining engines with nacelles for improved overall efficiency. The IPS concept is being pioneered by Nexcelle, a joint company formed last year by GE Aviation’s Middle River Aircraft Systems and the Safran group’s Aircelle. GE and Safran also jointly own CFM International, supplier of the C919’s Leap X1C engine.

“The Chinese could have gone with a traditional nacelle, but they recognized the performance and customer support benefits an integrated propulsion system can provide,” said Nexcelle president Steve Walters.