Rolls-Royce UltraFan Demonstrator
Derby, UK (Testbed 80) · 2014-ongoing (concept development, demonstrator build, and testing) · £90 million (cost of Testbed 80); €64 million (approx. £55 million) in funding for UltraFan 30 demonstrator.
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe UltraFan demonstrator represents a major step towards the next generation of civil aerospace engines, focusing on sustainability and efficiency. - The significant investment in Testbed 80 underscores the commitment to rigorous testing and validation of advanced engine technologies. - The project highlights the challenges and innovations in developing engines capable of running on 100% SAF, crucial for future aviation decarbonization. - The modular design of UltraFan technology allows for scalability across different aircraft sizes, from narrow-body to wide-body.
Key engineering challenges
Developing and testing a geared turbofan architecture at an unprecedented scale to achieve significant improvements in fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. - Designing and manufacturing advanced carbon composite titanium fan blades and composite casing to reduce weight and improve performance. - Integrating a new Advance3 core architecture with an ALECSys lean burn combustion system for enhanced efficiency. - Validating the engine's performance and durability in the world's largest indoor aero-engine testing facility (Testbed 80).
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Rolls-Royce Holdings plc
- Lead contractor
- Rolls-Royce
- Lead designers
- Rolls-Royce
- Project type
- development | testing
- Scale
- World's largest jet engine (demonstrator); 25% more fuel efficient than first-generation Trent engine; features carbon composite titanium fan blades; designed to run on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
- Disciplines
- aeronautical engineering; mechanical engineering; materials science (composites); thermodynamics; fluid dynamics; control systems engineering; manufacturing engineering
- Standards & frameworks
- EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) certification standards (for future production engines); Clean Aviation program guidelines.
Sources: Rolls-Royce: The next evolution of aviation | UltraFan (https://www.rolls-royce.com/innovation/ultrafan.aspx) - Rolls-Royce: Rolls-Royce announces successful run of UltraFan technology demonstrator to maximum power (https://www.rolls-royce.com/media/press-releases-archive/2023/13-11-2023-rolls-royce-announces-successful-run-of-ultrafan-technology-demonstrator-to-maximum-power.aspx) - Clean Aviation: UltraFan© progressing at full throttle (https://clean-aviation.eu/research-and-innovation/clean-sky-2/results-stories/ultrafanc-progressing-at-full-throttle) - Aviation Week: Rolls-Royce Details UltraFan 30 Single-Aisle Demonstrator Engine (https://aviationweek.com/aerospace/aircraft-propulsion/rolls-royce-details-ultrafan-30-single-aisle-demonstrator-engine-0) - Simple Flying: Rolls-Royce Completes 1st Ultrafan Technology Demonstrator Test (https://simpleflying.com/rolls-royce-ultrafan-test-complete/)