Dreamliner-Spec Engine Starts On First Try
Rolls-Royce successfully
completed the first test-bed run Tuesday of its Trent 1000 engine,
being developed for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The engine fired
right on time, against a schedule set almost three years ago.
As launch engine on the Boeing 787, the Trent 1000 is the first
of the aircraft's powerplants to run -- and Rolls Royce expects it
will also be the first in the air when it takes to the skies on a
747 flying test bed in the first quarter of 2007.
Following certification next summer, the Trent 1000 will power
the 787 Dreamliner's first flight, and will begin commercial
operations with launch customer All Nippon Airways (ANA) in the
middle of 2008.
Rolls-Royce tells Aero-News the test engine started
electrically, on its first try, using a new design feature called
IP Power Offtake. This involves dual-use starter-generators, which
act as both electrical starters on the ground and power generators
while airborne.
In flight, power will be created by mechanically driving the
generators using the engine's intermediate pressure compressor. It
will also supply power for the cabin Environmental Conditioning
System (ECS), rather than using conventional bleed air.
Each Trent 1000 is capable of generating around 0.5MW of
electrical energy to power the increased number of electrical
systems used in the Boeing 787.
"Initial testing is proceeding very smoothly, and everything
we've seen is in line with expectations," said Dominic Horwood,
Director of Boeing Programs at Rolls-Royce. "We have delivered on
our promise to our customers to run the Trent 1000 on time, and
that's really important to us. It's just a great start to our
program."
"It is exciting for the entire international 787 team to see the
progress being made on the first 787 engine," said Mike Bair, Vice
President and General Manager of the 787 program at Boeing.
"Rolls-Royce is helping us demonstrate to the airlines of the world
that the faith they have placed in us with their overwhelming
response to the 787 Dreamliner is well deserved. Together, we will
meet their expectations."
The first engine is one of seven to be used in ground testing,
while a further nine are earmarked for the flight test program.
With a range of thrust from 53,200 lbs to 75,000 lbs, the Trent
1000 is capable of powering all versions of the 787 Dreamliner.
The engine will also feature 15-percent lower fuel burn than
those of a decade ago, while delivering 40-percent lower emissions
than required by current international legislation.