During the Dubai Airshow 2023, Rolls-Royce revealed that it has reached a significant achievement by successfully operating its UltraFan technology demonstrator at maximum power at its Derby, UK facility. The UltraFan demonstrator engine, which boasts a fan diameter of 140 inches (3.56 meters) and is the largest aero-engine ever constructed, is undergoing testing in Rolls-Royce's indoor aerospace testbed, Testbed 80.
.gif)
The performance of the demonstrator met the company's expectations. The UltraFan program, unveiled in 2014, aims to improve efficiency by 10% compared to the Trent XWB, resulting in an impressive 25% efficiency gain since the first Trent engine was launched.
One of the key features of the UltraFan technology is its scalability, with a thrust range from approximately 25,000 to 110,000 pounds, making it suitable for a variety of aircraft, including the narrowbody and widebody planes anticipated to be introduced in the 2030s. Simon Burr, Group Director of Engineering, Technology, and Safety at Rolls-Royce, stated in a press release that achieving Net Zero flying by 2050 would likely require a combination of highly efficient, latest-generation gas turbines like UltraFan operating on 100% SAF, contributing around 80% of the total solution.
This makes the announcement a crucial milestone for Rolls-Royce and the broader industry. Rolls-Royce also noted that the UltraFan development program has identified several technologies that can be applied to its current Trent engines. The company has completed compatibility testing of 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on all its civil aero engine types currently in production and ensured that the Ultrafan demonstrator has the same capability.
