CFM International began testing the advanced eCore Demonstrator 2 on May 24th, one month ahead of schedule, at a special altitude test facility in Evendale, Ohio.

eCore Demo 2, which includes a 10-stage compressor, lower emission TAPS 2 combustor, and two-stage high-pressure turbine, is the configuration for the LEAP engine schedule to enter service on the Airbus A320neo and COMAC C919 in 2016.

LEAP is a product of CFM, a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (Safran group) and GE.

CFM has achieved 100 percent power and completed mechanical break-in. Testing now begins in earnest, with aeromechanical testing to validate vibration levels in the high-pressure compressor and high-pressure turbine.

"We are absolutely thrilled with the results we have achieved," said Ron Klapproth, LEAP program director for CFM. "The core is running smoothly, and getting to test a month ahead of schedule is a great accomplishment. It really demonstrates our commitment to mature the technology well ahead of time; we're confident that we will meet our performance targets."

CFM will complete approximately 150 – 200 test hours on the core over the next few months. The heavily instrumented hardware is testing approximately 2,000 different engine parameters. This unique test facility allows CFM to put the hardware through its paces by simulating both ground and altitude conditions over a much greater operating range than could be conducted with a full engine test. It allows engineers to see how the core behaves outside of standard operating conditions at extremes the engine would never encounter in typical commercial airline service.