Rolls-Royce has achieved a significant milestone in aeronautical innovation, successfully running its UltraFan technology demonstrator to maximum power at its Derby, UK facility. Notably, the initial stage of this milestone test utilized 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), aligning with the industry’s sustainability goals.
This achievement marks a crucial step in the UltraFan program, following its successful initial testing earlier this year. The subsequent incremental power increases during rigorous testing have been consistent with expectations. According to an official company statement: the insights gained from this milestone test will now undergo thorough analysis by Rolls-Royce’s expert teams, providing valuable data for further refinement.
The success of the UltraFan technology reinforces Rolls-Royce’s confidence in the suite of technologies developed within the program. This technological capability is a substantial leap toward enhancing the efficiency of both current and future aero-engines. It will have a 10% efficiency improvement over the already efficient Trent XWB, currently the world’s most efficient large aero-engine in service. Cumulatively, this represents a remarkable 25% efficiency gain since the launch of the first Trent engine.
The scalable nature this technology, spanning from approximately 25,000 to 110,000 pounds of thrust, positions it to potentially power the next generation of narrowbody and widebody aircraft expected in the 2030s. As a part of the UltraFan development program, Rolls-Royce has identified transferable technologies applicable to current Trent engines. This transferability aims to enhance customer benefits, offering improved availability, reliability, and efficiency.
Tufan Erginbilgic, CEO of Rolls-Royce plc, expressed the significance of this achievement, stating, “Hitting full power with our UltraFan demonstrator sends a strong message that Rolls-Royce is at the cutting edge of innovation and technology.” He emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting customers in developing the next generation of super-efficient and sustainable aircraft.
Simon Burr, Group Director of Engineering, Technology, and Safety at Rolls-Royce plc, highlighted the crucial role of highly efficient, latest-generation gas turbines like UltraFan, operating on 100% SAF, in reaching Net Zero flying by 2050. He estimates that such turbines could contribute around 80% to the overall solution.
The UltraFan demonstrator’s full-power run occurred in Testbed 80, the world’s largest and most advanced indoor aero-engine testing facility, located in Derby, UK. This accomplishment is the culmination of extensive work spanning many years and has received support from various entities, including the UK Government, the Aerospace Technology Institute, Innovate UK, the EU’s Clean Sky programs, LuFo, and the State of Brandenburg in Germany.
Rolls-Royce’s UltraFan, conceived in 2014, features a fundamentally different design architecture from its current large engines. The geared design, a pioneering move in the industry, provides flexibility to scale down as required by customers. This unique positioning enables Rolls-Royce to offer a diverse portfolio of propulsion solutions, including two-shaft, three-shaft, direct drive, and geared options for future aircraft.