Rolls-Royce is in the final stages of building the world's largest jet engine, it has announced.
The so-called UltraFan demonstrator is being constructed at the aerospace giant's facility in Derby before its first run – on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) – later this year. The engine has a fan diameter of 140 inches, with carbon titanium blades and a composite casing.
According to Rolls-Royce, which also has a UK base near Bristol, the engine offers a 25% fuel efficiency improvement compared with the first generation of Trent engines.
Significant investment has been made to develop the UltraFan demonstrator and associated technologies by Rolls-Royce and a variety of funding agencies, including the Aerospace Technology Institute and Innovate UK, Germany’s LuFo G, and the EU’s Clean Sky Joint Undertaking.
Rolls-Royce said there were "options" to transfer technologies from the UltraFan development programme to current Trent engines to deliver greater fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. In the longer term, UltraFan’s tech could power new narrowbody and widebody aircraft that are anticipated in the 2030s.
“This programme is a significant investment in the future and I am delighted that the UK’s Aerospace Technology Institute and Innovate UK, Germany’s LuFo and the EU’s Clean Sky programmes have all recognised the benefits of UltraFan and provided their support, said Chris Cholerton, president of Civil Aerospace at Rolls-Royce.
A critical part of the engine's performance will be its power gearbox, which can transmit more power than an entire grid of Formula 1 cars when running at maximum speed.
Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said the UltraFan was a "major opportunity" for growth and jobs for the UK.
"I look forward to seeing planes across the world powered by technologies developed in this ultra-efficient engine demonstrator for years to come," he added.
In June, Rolls-Royce announced it would pay thousands of UK staff an extra £2,000 to help with the cost of living crisis. More than 14,000 workers at the aerospace giant’s UK sites in Derby and Bristol will receive the payment.
Around 3,000 workers will receive the lump sum in August, while the 11,000 union workers will be paid after Unite approves the payment, it is understood.
In February, The company swung back into the black , with profits of £124m - up from a £3.1bn loss a year earlier.
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