FARNBOROUGH - The Tupolev Design Bureau has selected GE Aircraft Engines' CF34-3B/B1 turbofan engines as alternative powerplants for the Tu-324 family of aircraft. The Tupolev design studies include both 40-50 passenger regional airliners and business jets in the 22.8-tonne takeoff gross weight class.
The CF34, which entered commercial service in 1983, is ideally suited to these types of applications. The engine has logged more than two million commercial flight hours to date, powering 256 business jets and 125 regional airliners. Over the years, GEAE has invested in technology to continuously improve the product line. The airliner version of the engine, the CF34-3B1, entered service on the 50-passenger Canadair Regional Jet in November 1992 and has demonstrated outstanding reliability with airlines in North America, Europe, and Asia. The airliner version of the engine has an on-condition maintenance plan, while the business jet version has a fixed 6,000-hour TBO (Time Between Overhaul) schedule.
The CF34 is a civil derivative of the military TF34 engine in service with the United States Air Force and Navy. Total production of the CF34/TF34 family exceeds 2,400 engines, which have accumulated more than 12 million flight hours.
GEAE began discussions with Tupolev in mid-1995, and the two companies are working closely with Kazan engine and aircraft facilities to further define the program, including potential participation of Russian companies in CF34 propulsion system production.