The UltraFan technology demonstrator has been mounted for testing in Derby.
Engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce announced on Monday it would begin testing its UltraFan technology demonstrator early next year. The engine, the largest aircraft powerplant ever made, has now been transported from its build workshop and into the OEM's specially designed Testbed 80 in Derby, UK, where it has been mounted for testing. Furthermore, the tests will run on 100% sustainable aviation fuel.
The UltraFan is the largest aircraft engine ever constructed. However, while engines are usually developed with a specific plane in mind, the UltraFan will not power any jet. Rather, it is a technology demonstrator program, which will allow Rolls-Royce to try out a broad range of sustainability solutions that can then be applied to other projects.
The demonstrator features a brand-new engine design that Rolls-Royce says will "support sustainable air travel for decades to come." It has a fan diameter of 140 inches (3.556 meters) with fans made of carbon titanium blades and is 25% more fuel efficient compared to the first generation of Rolls-Royce's Trent engines.
The milestone in the project was celebrated by Chris Cholerton, President of Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace, who commented on the somewhat momentous occasion,
“Seeing the UltraFan demonstrator come together and getting ready for test in Testbed 80 is a great way to end the year. We have all been waiting for this moment, which is such an important milestone for the programme and for the team who have worked on it. The next stage will be to see UltraFan run for the first time on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel in 2023, proving the technology is ready to support more sustainable flight in the future.”
In the near term, Rolls-Royce will transfer technologies and know-how from the UltraFan to its current Trent engine developments to reduce fuel burn and subsequent CO2 emissions. In the long-haul, the OEM foresees potential improvements in fuel efficiency from both narrow- and widebody jets by as much as 10% as a result of the program and the scalable thrust of the UltraFan (~25,000 - 110,000lb). Given both fuel prices and emissions, 10% would be a substantial gain indeed, for both operators and planet.
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Testbed 80 cost the manufacturer £90 million ($109.5 million) to build. It opened in 2020, designed specially to house the UltraFan, and is located at Rolls-Royce's facilities in Derby. This is also the location where Rolls-Royce builds the Trent XWB-97 engines, 24 of which are set to power Qantas' 12 Airbus A350-1000s deployed on the upcoming Project Sunrise routes between Sydney and London and New York (and other potential destinations). While the jets will have an extra fuel tank, there will be no change to the engines or thrust on the Qantas version.
What do you make of the UltraFan project from Rolls-Royce and its Testbed 80? Leave a comment in the section below and share your thoughts.
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Lead Sustainability Journalist - With a Masters in International Relations, Linnea has combined her love for current affairs with her passion for travel to become a key member of the Simple Flying team. With eight years’ experience in publishing and citations in publications such as CNN, Linnea brings a deep understanding of politics and future aviation tech to her stories. Based in Amsterdam, Netherlands.