KEY MILESTONE REACHED FOR ROLLS-ROYCE ULTRAFAN

Rolls-Royce’s UltraFan has reached another milestone as the world-leading power gearbox (PGB) has been shipped to the UK to be fitted to the engine demonstrator.

The power gearbox, which has set a world aerospace power record on the test, can transmit more power than an entire grid of Formula 1 cars when running at max power. On test, it has delivered 87,000 horsepower or 64 megawatts – enough to power a medium-sized city.

Chris Cholerton, President of Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace, said: “This is a tremendous moment for everyone on the UltraFan programme as we take another step forward with the dispatch of the power gearbox. I’m proud that we are creating better, more efficient gas turbines which will be an essential part of air travel for decades to come.”

Gas turbines will continue to be the bedrock of long-haul aviation for many years, and UltraFan’s efficiency will help improve the economics of an industry transition to more sustainable fuels.