GE AerospaceGE redesigned the GE9X mid-seal and has high confidence it won't delay the 777X, with FAA certification expected soon.
GE Aerospace CFO Rahul Ghai said Thursday he believes a durability issue with the GE9X engine's mid-seal will not delay next year's planned entry into service for the Boeing 777X aircraft. Speaking at a Morgan Stanley conference, Ghai said GE has "a huge degree of confidence" in the redesigned seal after testing it internally, and that the new design has been incorporated into engines now being produced. After testing showed the mid-seal, a part connecting the front and rear sections of the engine, was not as durable as GE had expected, the company redesigned the part and began shipping GE9X engines fitted with the new seal to Boeing in the third quarter, Ghai said, adding that Federal Aviation Administration certification of the redesigned part is expected in the next few months. Ghai also said he does not see broad vertical integration as the answer to aerospace supply chain constraints, after GE agreed to buy castings supplier Consolidated Precision Products for $11.75B. The company announced the CPP deal last week as it seeks to expand supplies of precision-cast metal parts used in jet engines, including turbine blades and vanes.
GE AerospaceGE redesigned the GE9X mid-seal and has high confidence it won't delay the 777X, with FAA certification expected soon.
The Boeing CompanyGE9X mid-seal fix is expected to keep the 777X on track for next year's entry into service, supporting Boeing's program timeline.
Consolidated Precision Products is being acquired by GE Aerospace for $11.75B, a positive M&A event for the company.