Although the feasibility of the 7E7 is still being evaluated, the engine manufacturers must be working closely with Boeing to come up with the powerplant for this plane. Since the engines will be the key to making the 7E7 reach its goals, these decisions will be extremely important.

So what do the engine manufacturers have planned? Are they going to just make a newer, more efficient version of existing lines or are they going to completely start a new line of engines?

My guess would be for them to just build off of what they've got. GE could make a new version of the CF6. This proved successful in the creation of the CF6-80E1 for the A330. Maybe GE could even build off of the -80E1 for the 7E7. RR could build off of the Trent series and Pratt could build off of the PW4000 series.

Any other thoughts?

--Nick

They could use the engines off the proposed 747-400QLR. . .""The 747-400X Quiet Longer Range will be among the quietest widebody airplanes in the sky, with noise reductions of 20 percent on takeoff and 40 percent on approach, compared to today's 747-400s," he added. "When combined with reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions, this airplane will be a great environmental performer." - Boeing News

Put a couple of these engines on the 7E7 with some engineering and mechanical tweaking and you have a winner.

DIA