Rolls-Royce UltraFan Demonstrator in Final Build Phase

(19 July 2022, 10:17 +07)  Rolls-Royce has entered the final build phase of the world’s largest aero-engine technology demonstrator, UltraFan.

The demonstrator engine, with a fan diameter of 140 inches, is being completed at Rolls-Royce's facility in Derby, England, prior to its first run – on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel – later this year.

The engine offers a 25% fuel efficiency improvement compared with the first generation of Trent engine.

UltraFan offers a 25% fuel efficiency improvement compared with the first generation of Trent engines

UltraFan supports a variety of sustainability solutions. In the nearer term, there are options to transfer technologies from the UltraFan development programme to current Trent engines to deliver even greater fuel efficiency and reductions in emissions.

In the longer term, UltraFan’s scalable technology from 25,000-100,000lb of thrust offers the potential to power new narrowbody and widebody aircraft anticipated in the 2030s.

UltraFan also provides a platform for the use of a diverse range of energy options and power systems – including current jet fuel and sustainable aviation fuel as well as future potential for hybrid-electric and hydrogen.

“This programme is a significant investment in the future and I am delighted that the UK’s Aerospace Technology Institute and Innovate UK, Germany’s LuFo and the EU’s Clean Sky programmes have all recognised the benefits of UltraFan and provided their support,” said Chris Cholerton, President – Civil Aerospace, Rolls-Royce.

Key engineering features of the engine include:

- A new, proven, Advance3 core architecture, combined with our ALECSys lean burn combustion system, to deliver maximum fuel burn efficiency and low emissions;

- Carbon titanium fan blades and a composite casing;

- Advanced ceramic matrix composite (CMC) components that operate more effectively at high pressures and temperatures;

- A geared design that delivers efficient power for the high-thrust, high bypass ratio engines of the future. The power gearbox has run at 64MW, an aerospace record; and

- When UltraFan is on test at Rolls-Royce’s new £90m Testbed 80 facility, data can be taken from more than 10,000 parameters, detecting the tiniest of vibrations at a rate of up to 200,000 samples per second.

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