The Rolls-Royce composite carbon/titanium (CTi) fan blade for the Advance and UltraFan engines took to the skies for the first time, marking another milestone for the program. A set of the CTi fan blades successfully completed a first flight incorporated into a Trent 1000 “donor” engine, on Rolls-Royce’s 747 flying test bed at Tucson, Arizona. The Advance engine design will offer at least 20% less fuel burn and CO? emissions than the first generation of Rolls-Royce Trent engine and could be ready for entry into service from 2020.
CTi technology delivers lighter fan blades while retaining aerodynamic performance. Combined with a composite engine casing, it forms a system that reduces weight by up to 1,500lb per aircraft, the equivalent of carrying seven more passengers at no cost.
The UltraFan is a geared design with a variable pitch fan system, and is based on technology that could be ready for service from 2025 and will offer at least 25% less fuel and CO? emissions against the same baseline.
