Rolls-Royce has designs on the jet engine of the future
Looking to build on the success of its Trent XWB family, Rolls-Royce has announced two new engine designs aimed at next generation civilian aircraft.
The British group said that Advance, the development name for one of its future engines, will burn at least 20% less fuel – with a corresponding drop in CO2 emissions – compared with the first generation of Trent engines that entered service in 1995.
The second engine, UltraFan – a geared design with a variable pitch fan system – will offer a 25% improvement in fuel burn and emission, Rolls said.
Advance is epected to enter service by 2020, with UltraFan slated for a 2025 launch.
Colin Smith, Rolls-Royce director of Engineering and Technology, commented: "These new designs are the result of implementing our on-going technology programmes.
"They are designed to deliver what our airframe and airline customers tell us they need: even better fuel efficiency, reliability and environmental performance."
Both engines will include a new engine core architecture and a CTi Fan System made up of carbon/titanium fan blades and a composite casing.
According to Rolls, this fan system will reduce weight by up to 1,500lb per aircraft, the equivalent of carrying seven more passengers.
As well as a new geared design, Advance and UltraFan will also make use of advanced ceramic matrix composites – heat resistant components that operate more effectively in high turbine temperatures.
