A spokesperson from Rolls-Royce Holdings plc has recently confirmed that the British company will soon begin tests on the prototype of its latest UltraFan engine, which is also dubbed the world’s largest turbofan in recent years.

Furthermore, industry experts have stated that the engine has been made in such a manner that it would be nearly 25% more productive than the company’s previous Trent engine models.

Meanwhile, UltraFan Chief Engineer Andrew Geer has claimed that the demonstrator boasts of a fan diameter of 140 inches, which is the maximum size for any widebody aircraft. He also stated that the scale of the technology could be lowered to accommodate other initiatives within the narrowbody plane marketplace. 

However, this plan will be put into motion only after a significant period, potentially linked to the launch of newer aircraft programs from other multinational aerospace corporations such as The Boeing Company and Airbus SE.

Elaborating more on UltraFan, Geer maintained that the platform focuses on a host of technologies that may be fruitful for Rolls Royce’s existing pursuits.

Another positive aspect of the initiative is that the first test run would be fully sustainable as it would use Air BP fuel derived from vegetable oils instead of fossil fuels.

The President of Civil Aerospace Chris Cholerton is hopeful that the technology will create countless opportunities for improvements in the current fleet that may propel capabilities for their future systems.

Apart from the efforts on prototype tests, the aircraft engine maker will also be directing its resources toward developing hydrogen and hybrid electric technologies for the functioning of regional as well as commuter aircraft.

The main motive of these tests is to prove the capability of hydrogen in proficiently powering small-to-midsize aircraft starting in the mid-2030s. Notably, one of the tests that are supposed to begin this year will be running the AE2100 engine, closely followed by a Pearl 15 engine within an unspecified period.

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https://money.usnews.com/investing/news/articles/2022-07-17/rolls-royce-to-start-ultrafan-prototype-tests-this-year#:~:text=July%2017%2C%202022%2C%20at%207%3A11%20p.m.&text=DERBY%2C%20England%20(Reuters)%20%2D,its%20first%20generation%20Trent%20engines