Rolls-Royce tests composite fan systems for Advance and UltraFan at John C. Stennis Space Center

The Rolls-Royce composite carbon/titanium (CTi) fan system for the Advance and UltraFan engine designs has completed its most recent phase of testing at the company’s outdoor jet engine test facility at the John C. Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. The fan system undertook crosswind testing on a Trent 1000 ALPS (Advanced Low Pressure System technology) engine, ahead of flight testing on the Rolls-Royce 747 flying test bed based in Tucson, Arizona. The CTi fan system includes carbon/titanium fan blades and a composite casing that reduce weight by up to 1,500lb per aircraft, the equivalent of carrying seven more passengers at no cost. The Advance engine design will offer at least 20% less fuel burn and CO₂ emissions than the first generation of Trent engine and could be ready for entry into service from 2020. UltraFan a geared design with a variable pitch fan system, is based on technology that could be ready for service from 2025 and will offer at least 25% per cent less fuel and CO₂ emissions against the same baseline.