Rolls-Royce said on May 18 that it has carried out “historic” first tests of its UltraFan technology demonstrator in Derby in the UK.
The “successful” tests were the first of a new engine architecture in 54 years, the manufacturer said, and were conducted using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
“Confirming the capability of the suite of technologies incorporated in the demonstrator is a big step towards improving the efficiency of current and future aero-engines. UltraFan delivers a 10% efficiency improvement over the Trent XWB, which is already the world’s most efficient large aero engine in service”, the company claimed.
Rolls-Royce said there are “nearer term” options to transfer technologies from the UltraFan to the Trent engine range used on aircraft, which mean “greater availability, reliability and efficiency” for customers.
“The UltraFan demonstrator is a game changer – the technologies we are testing as part of this programme have the capability to improve the engines of today as well as the engines of tomorrow,” said Tufan Erginbilgic, chief executive of Rolls-Royce.
“When combined with sustainable aviation fuels, more efficient gas turbine engines will be key to hitting the industry’s target of Net Zero flight by 2050. Today we are closer to achieving this ambition,” Erginbilgic added.
