V-22 flight tests validate 'hot and high' capability for Rolls-Royce AE 1107C engines

Flight tests have validated a new engine upgrade for Rolls-Royce AE 1107C engines powering V-22 aircraft, maximizing “hot and high” capability up to 6,000 feet of altitude and 95° F. The enhanced capability is part of a series of upgrades that will boost engine power 17 percent for the aircraft, as Rolls-Royce continues to add innovations to the proven AE 1107C engine. The flight tests were conducted in a Bell Boeing V-22 test aircraft, and completed this summer in the western United States. Rolls-Royce has incorporated the ‘hot and high’ improvements at company expense through a MissionCare contract with the Navy. MissionCare, a Rolls-Royce designed package of services, incentivizes the company to design technology and affordability improvements to benefit the customer. Rolls-Royce has invested $90m in capability and reliability improvements for the AE 1107C engine since 2009, reducing the maintenance cost per flight hour by 34%.