History
IAE was founded in 1983 to develop an engine to address the 150-seat single aisle segment. The collaboration, bringing together five of the world’s leading aero engine manufacturers – Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, Japanese Aero Engine Corporation, MTU Aero Engines and Fiat, was focused on delivering the most technologically advanced engine solution for the industry. The result was the V2500 engine – cleaner, quieter, more fuel efficient. One of the key drivers behind IAE’s success is its mindset of continuous improvement.
Over the past 30 years, IAE has has positioned itself as a leading force in the global aviation industry. To date, more than 7,000 engines have been delivered. The V2500 engine currently maintains approximately 45% of the A320 family segment share and has about 190 airlines and lessors worldwide. The selection of the V2500 engine for the Embraer KC-390 is a testimony to the continued adaptability, durability and reliability of the engine.
The V2500 engine program is expected to continue service for at least another 30 years. With the IAE collaboration agreement extension to 2045 and the substantial fleet of V2500s in service, this joint venture has secured its standing as a global aviation leader for decades to come.
The IAE Timeline
1983 – 1989
Just a year after the collaboration was formed, the V2500 engine won a position on the Airbus A320 family, formally launching the program. Following a development program that was completed in an accelerated timeframe, the V2500-A1 engine first entered service with Adria Airways in 1989.
That same year McDonnell Douglas selected the V2500 engine to power the MD-90, providing diversity to the engine program. Delta Air Lines launched this new program with an order for 26 firm aircraft.
1990 – 1999
IAE’s philosophy of continuous improvement was evident from the start, and the first major performance enhancements were introduced into service in 1993 through the V2500-A5 engine. IAE subsequently took the HPT technology developed for the V2500-A5 engine and incorporated it into the V2500-A1 engine in what was termed the “Phoenix Standard” in 1998. This resulted in improved time-on-wing.
The latter part of the 1990s saw IAE and the V2500 engine start to become a dominant force in commercial aviation: (i) the MD-90 entered service; (ii) the first orders were taken from Chinese airlines; (iii) records were broken for deal sizes; and (iv) the first V2500 engine-powered A319 flew in United Airlines’ colors. In addition, the 1,000th V2500 engine was delivered.
2000 – 2010
The new Millennium saw existing MD-90 operators – China Northern and SAS – select V2500 engine-powered Airbus aircraft for the first time. The engine also became available to power the Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ).
The success story continued throughout the decade as customer numbers approached 200, and a number of record-breaking deals were signed. The 2,000th V2500 engine was delivered in 2002, and the engine program surpassed the milestone of 20 million flying hours.
IAE continued its philosophy of continuous improvement with the introduction of V2500 SelectOne™ engine in 2005, along with the first comprehensive OEM-managed aftermarket service program in this class. More records were broken as a number of first-run engines remained on wing in excess of 30,000 hours. Following the delivery of the 3,000th V2500 in 2006, orders continued to climb with tremendous success in China with orders from Sichuan Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Shanghai Airlines and Shenzhen Airlines.
The V2500 SelectOne engine gained segment acceptance throughout the decade as customers selected the new engine standard and upgraded their existing fleets with the new retrofit upgrade. The new engine build standard, which debuted with IndiGo in 2008, delivered over 1500 engine units by the end of 2012 and continues to grow. It has a record of exceptional reliability following a flawless entry into service and continued dependable operation. In addition, the V2500 engine became a launch engine for the Airbus A320 Final Assembly Line in Tianjin, China.
2011 – Present
In 2011, IAE continued to look forward as its Executive Board of Directors announced the extension of its collaboration agreement to 2045.
An upgrade option for the V2500 SelectOne engine – the V2500 SelectTwo™ engine was also announced. Meanwhile, the V2500 SelectOne engine reached a major milestone with its 1,000th delivery to IndiGo, and IAE’s order book continued to grow as China Southern became IAE’s largest customer with its order for 65 V2500 SelectOne engines.
In its first military application, IAE was chosen in 2011 by Embraer Defense and Security, in concurrence with the Brazilian Air Force, to provide the powerplant for the country’s new KC-390 multi-role tanker/transport aircraft. The engine will be the V2500-E5 engine.
In early 2012, the 5,000th V2500 engine was delivered to SilkAir, and IAE achieved 100 million flying hours.
After receiving regulatory approvals and partner consent, Pratt & Whitney closed on the purchase of Rolls-Royce’s equity and program share in IAE on June 29, 2012. Rolls-Royce will continue to support IAE as a strategic supplier for the V2500 engine and continue to perform its key responsibilities for IAE, including the manufacture of parts and engines, as well as supply MRO services for IAE’s fleet.
IAE will celebrate 24 years in service with the V2500 engine and its 30th anniversary as a company in 2013.
