Rolls-Royce completes first tests of revolutionary new engine

Rolls-Royce has announced it has successfully completed the first tests of its UltraFan technology demonstrator.

The engineering giant said that the demonstrator engine completed its first runs in Testbed 80 at the firm’s civil aerospace site in Derby, using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

It was a historic moment for Rolls-Royce, as it was the first time in 54 years the aero-engine manufacturer had tested a brand-new engine architecture.

The UltraFan has the potential to be a real game-changer for the aviation industry, delivering a 10% efficiency improvement over Rolls-Royce’s Trent XWB, which is already the world’s most efficient large aero engine in service.

Tufan Erginbilgic, chief executive of Rolls-Royce, said: “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.

“That is why this announcement is so important – we are witnessing history in the making; a step-change in engine efficiency improvement.”

Rolls-Royce said that confirming the capability of the suite of technologies incorporated in the demonstrator was a big step towards improving the efficiency of current and future aero engines.

In the nearer term, there are options to transfer technologies from the UltraFan development programme to current Trent engines, providing Rolls-Royce’s customers with even greater availability, reliability and efficiency.

In the longer term, UltraFan’s scalable thrust technology offers the potential to power new narrowbody and widebody aircraft anticipated in the 2030s.

The tests took place in the world’s largest and smartest indoor aero-engine testing facility – Testbed 80.

The 100% SAF, derived primarily from waste-based sustainable feedstocks such as used cooking oils, was provided by Air bp.

Testing the demonstrator is the culmination of many years work, which has been supported by the UK Government through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), Innovate UK; the EU’s Clean Sky programmes plus LuFo and the State of Brandenburg in Germany.

UK Business and Trade Secretary, Kemi Badenoch said: “This cutting-edge technology will help the transition towards a greener future for aviation while attracting further investment into the UK’s aerospace industry, helping grow the economy.

“I’m proud that the Government has backed this initiative through our Aerospace Technology Institute programme, and we will continue to work with manufacturers like Rolls-Royce as we seek to grow the UK’s share of the global aerospace market.”

Mr Erginbilgic said: “Collaboration is key in driving the decarbonisation of air travel and the UltraFan programme is a great example of what can be achieved when government and industry come together with a common purpose.”