Rolls-Royce is celebrating the successful test of its UltraFan technology which paves the way for significant engine efficiency gains for the aviation industry.
The first test of the UltraFan technology demonstrator was carried out at Testbed 80, which is "the world’s largest and smartest indoor aero-engine testing facility" located in Derby, UK. UltraFan promises 10% efficiency improvements compared to the Trent XWB, which Rolls-Royce states is the "world’s most efficient large aero engine in service."
What's also notable is the fact the test was carried out using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) supplied by Air bp, which is derived primarily from waste-based sustainable feedstocks (e.g. used cooking oil, packaging, paper, textiles, and food scraps).
Tufan Erginbilgic, CEO, Rolls-Royce plc, said:
“The UltraFan demonstrator is a game changer – the technologies we are testing as part of this programme have the capability to improve the engines of today as well as the engines of tomorrow. That is why this announcement is so important – we are witnessing history in the making; a step-change in engine efficiency improvement. When combined with Sustainable Aviation Fuels, more efficient gas turbine engines will be key to hitting the industry’s target of Net Zero flight by 2050. Today we are closer to achieving this ambition."
Rolls-Royce first revealed UltraFan back in 2014 when it was described as a "geared design with a variable pitch fan system" and has the potential to offer "at least 25 per cent improvement in fuel burn and emissions against the same baseline."
The successful UltraFan test follows Rolls-Royce's other successful test carried out in November last year to convert a modern aircraft engine to run on hyrdogen. The British manufacturer has also recently received funding to research building a nuclear reactor for powering human-manned bases on the Moon.
