Rolls-Royce unveils new engine demonstrator for FCAS

Rolls-Royce's defence business has designed, built, and run an innovative small engine concept in under 18 months – a transformational project that will change how products and technologies are developed for the UK’s Future Combat Air Strategy (FCAS).

Known as Orpheus, the first demonstrator engine concept, on display at Farnborough International Air Show this week, has been developed using a completely agile approach – built nearly twice as fast as a conventional engine programme.

A second demonstrator within the family is already on test in Bristol, UK.

Pioneered by a team of highly skilled engineers, manufacturers, and programme managers, the Orpheus project has allowed for trial and collaboration across the business, combining proven methods of engineering with innovative digital technologies.

EVP business development and future programmes for Rolls-Royce Defence, Alex Zino, said: “The new Orpheus engine has broken boundaries throughout all stages of the development, design and build and is a clear example of how we can deliver at pace. Throughout this project we have empowered our people to work in agile ways to disrupt our current ways of thinking and develop a product that is truly novel that can help our customers de-risk their future programmes and explore different technologies to enhance their military capability.”

Throughout the programme, Rolls-Royce has tapped into more than 30 UK-based small and medium size businesses, working on techniques such as additive layer manufacturing to ensure Orpheus is adaptable and scalable for multi applicability and combines both electrical power generation and propulsive power.

Orpheus will move away from using off the shelf sub-systems for prototype vehicles, to being able to rapidly develop bespoke power solutions that can be quickly deployed.

www.rolls-royce.com

Company

Rolls-Royce

Tags
Related Articles

Sealing the industry standards

Aerospace Manufacturing hears how Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has addressed the growing needs of aerospace manufacturers using a ‘modular and forward-thinking approach’ to meet the varying fire test requirements needed to comply with industry standards.
7 years ago Features

Get the balance right

According to Jeffrey Ley, P.E. manager, Fixed Wing Engineering of LORD Corporation, today’s aero engines require a more sophisticated approach beyond traditional stiff and rigid mounting options, as well as attention to the sum of all the systems.
7 years ago Features

Harder, faster, better, stronger

Neil Calder examines the latest progress on the key technology advances that could help determine the overall commercial success of future aero-engine programmes.
7 years ago Features
Most recent Articles

Login / Sign up