GE-Passport-20-HR

Nexcelle has completed the preliminary design review for the nacelle that will form part of GE’s Passport engine, an integrated propulsion system (IPS) to power the Bombardier Global 7000 and 8000 business jets.

The design review was conducted at Nexcelle’s headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Nexcelle president Huntley Myrie said: "Our teams also are well advanced in preparing the manufacturing and assembly infrastructure that will handle the Passport engine nacelle production."

Nexcelle is a 50-50 joint venture between General Electric’s (GE) Middle River Aircraft Systems and the Safran group’s Aircelle.

Under the joint venture, Aircelle will manufacture the nacelle components at its facilities in France and Morocco, while Middle River Aircraft Systems will be involved in the manufacturing and assembly of composite parts at a new facility under development in Mississippi.

Nexcelle’s Passport nacelle features an inner and outer barrel, a fan cowl and a target-type two-door thrust reverser and fixed aft nozzle; all the components will be made of composite materials to reduce the weight of the product.

In order to improve productivity, quality and repeatability, Nexcelle will apply its robotic drilling technique and fasten installation for the nacelle’s inlet assembly.

The manufacturing of bypass turbofan engine’s thrust reverser on a moving assembly line is expected to improve production efficiency.

Nexcelle is currently unveiling tooling designs for the Passport nacelle prior to entering the production phase.

Image: Nexcelle conducted the preliminary design review of nacelle on GE Passport engine at its headquarters in Ohio. Photo: courtesy of Nexcelle.