Aircelle Will Supply LEAP-X Engine Nacelle for Airbus' A320neo

LE HAVRE, France, February 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Airbus has selected Aircelle (Safran group) to supply the complete integrated nacelle package for the A320neo Family powered by CFM International's LEAP-X engines.

For this selection, Aircelle demonstrated its ability to provide a cost-effective solution, backed bythe company's full industrial resources and a commitment to meet the development and production timelines. GE's Middle River Aircraft Systems (MRAS) - its established partner in the Nexcelle nacelle joint venture, will be participating.

The A320neo is Airbus' new engine option for its best-selling A320 aircraft Family, offering significant fuel savings.

"This is a major win for Aircelle in the promising and challenging single-aisle airlines segment," said Aircelle Chairman and CEO Vincent Mascre. "Aircelle will take full responsibility for the complete nacelle, including integration on the engine. All of our engineering and production resources are ready to meet the quality, performance and schedule requirements of the A320neo, as well as the airlines' demanding customer support requirements."

The A320neo nacelle will benefit from Aircelle's proven technology developed for the nacelles used on Airbus' A380. This will be re-enforced by a comprehensive technology roadmap that includes innovations in systems, composite materials and acoustic treatment to further enhance operating efficiency, lower noise levels, reduce weight and improve maintenance.

These new technologies are being validated through the company's full-scale demonstrator programs.

Airbus' contract award for the A320neo LEAP-X nacelle, and the related nacelle/engine integration activity, ensures the continuity for Aircelle's more than 20 years of thrust reverser production for CFM56 engines - which are used on the current generation of A320 Family aircraft. Aircelle's existing CFM56 thrust reverser assembly line was totally re-engineered three years ago using lean sigma methodology. It has delivered up to 500 thrust reversers annually since then.

About Aircelle (http://www.aircelle.com)

Aircelle is one of the leading players in the worldwide nacelle market for aircraft engines. A subsidiary of the Safran group, it employs nearly 3,000 people on seven sites in France, the United Kingdom and Morocco.

Aircelle is the only nacelle manufacturer in the world present on all the market segments, from regional and business aircraft to the largest airliners, including the Airbus A380. Aircelle also is developing the worldwide customer support and service activity for nacelles and their components.