Rolls-Royce and Airbus have signed a collaboration agreement for the integration of Rolls-Royce’s UltraFan® demonstrator for flight testing. The integration solutions demonstration will be co-funded by CleanSky 2, the European Union research programme focused on developing technology to reduce emissions.
UltraFan is a scalable jet engine design suitable for wide body or narrow body aircraft. It aims to offer a 25% fuel efficiency improvement over the first-generation of Rolls-Royce Trent engine.
Rolls-Royce has signed an agreement with Airbus to provide both nacelle and engine/aircraft integration architecture and technology enablers for UltraFan ground and flight tests.
Axel Flaig, Airbus Head of Research and Technology, said: “This technology development programme with Rolls-Royce is a key project for Airbus to pave the way towards the next generation integrated propulsion systems that will be needed by airline customers towards the end of the next decade. We thank the Clean Sky 2 European funding programme for its strong support to this project which is a key contributor towards the ACARE environmental targets.”
Airbus integration solutions will play an important part in achieving the overall fuel efficiency improvement of higher bypass ratio engines such as UltraFan, through innovative architecture and associated technologies. The UltraFan technology development programme is seen as paving the way towards next-generation integrated propulsion systems.
UltraFan features a new engine core architecture and lean-burn combustion system which will contribute to improved fuel burn efficiency and lower emissions, along with a carbon titanium fan blade system and composite casing which reduce weight. The engine also introduces a geared design to deliver efficient power at high-bypass ratios.
Aspects of the wider UltraFan demonstrator activities are receiving co-funding support from a combination of European CleanSky and UK & German state schemes.
As per the sources- For Airbus, the project will enable it to fully integrate the overall powerplant system – composed of engine, pylon and nacelle – onto future long-range aircraft products, as well as facilitating scalability for future short-range aircraft. It will also build on Airbus’ expertise in advanced manufacturing technologies, such as high-deposition-rate additive manufacture, welded assembly and high production rate thermoplastics.
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News & Image Source: Airbus
