Rolls-Royce has successfully completed crosswind testing on its composite carbon/titanium (CTi) fan system for the Advance and UltraFan engine architecture.
The testing was carried out at the company’s outdoor jet engine test facility at the John C Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, US.
Crosswind testing of CTi fan was conducted on a Trent 1000 ALPS (advanced low pressure system technology) engine.
CTi fan system is planned for its flight testing on the Rolls-Royce 747 flying test bed in Arizona.
Rolls-Royce civil large engines technology and future programmes chief engineer Mark Thomas said: "This is another step forward in our validation of the CTi fan system technology for the Advance and UltraFan engine architectures.
"Successful completion of testing during crosswind flight conditions has verified the new fan design performance and will enable the programme to move on to the next phase of demonstration, including flight testing."
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By GlobalDataThe carbon/titanium fan blades and a composite casing on CTi fan are claimed to reduce weight of the system by up to 1,500lb per aircraft.
Planned to enter service from 2020, the Advance engine is claimed to offer around 20% less fuel burn and CO2 emissions compared with the first generation of Trent engine.
A geared design with a variable pitch fan system, UltraFan, is said to offer at least 25% less fuel burn and CO2 emissions, and is scheduled to enter service from 2025.
Rolls-Royce outdoor jet engine testing facility at Stennis was opened in 2007. It conducts various engine tests, including noise, crosswind, thrust reverse, cyclic and endurance testing.
