Rolls-Royce engine testbed officially opens in Derby

Rolls-Royce’s Testbed 80, the world’s largest indoor aerospace testbed, has been officially opened in Derby.

The ceremony took place with Kwasi Kwarteng, Secretary of State for the Department of Business Energy & Industrial Strategy, in Derby

The completion of the project is a major milestone after almost three years of construction and a £90 million investment. With testbed has an area of 7,500m2, making it larger than a football pitch.

The testbed conducted its first run on a Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine at the test facility in Derby, earlier this year.

Warren East, chief executive, Rolls-Royce, commented: “Testbed 80 is the largest facility of its type in the world. However, it is not only big, it is also smart and features the most advanced testing technology we have ever used. As the new global hub of our testing capability, it will support the next stage of our UltraFan programme as we begin ground testing the first demonstrator in 2022. This incredible piece of infrastructure is a very visible sign of our commitment to this site and secures the future of Derby as the home of large engine development, continuing a history that began in the late 1960s with the RB211.”

Testbed 80 will support three of Rolls-Royce’s sustainability objectives.

Firstly, continuing to improve the efficiency of the gas turbine. The facility has been designed to test a range of today’s engines, including the Trent XWB and the Trent 1000, but will also have the capability to test the UltraFan demonstrator, the blueprint for the engine maker’s next generation of engines. UltraFan will be 25% more efficient than the first Trent engine, and we will begin ground testing the demonstrator at the testbed in 2022.

Rolls-Royce says it is committed to promoting the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs), which can already be used as “drop-in” fuels in existing engines. Testbed 80 has been designed to support this commitment – it is equipped with a 140,000-litre fuel tank for different fuel types, including SAFs. Next year, Rolls-Royce also plan to run its first UltraFan demonstrator test using 100% SAF.

Also, in line with the company’s ambition to pioneer novel, more sustainable technologies, the testbed is designed to have the capability to test the hybrid or all-electric flight systems of the future.

Rolls-Royce partnered with MDS Aero Support Corporation of Ottawa, Canada, for the design and construction of this facility.

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

Carter enjoys success at HAI HELI-EXPO event

Acknowledged as the World’s largest vertical aviation conference and trade show, HAI HELI-EXPO 2024 provided precision bearing specialists Carter Manufacturing a perfect opportunity to exhibit its extensive range of aerospace bearing installation, removal and testing tools, along with PMA bearing options.
1 day ago News

Login / Sign up