Rolls-Royce Ultrafan

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

Rolls-Royce aims by mid-year to freeze the design of a smaller UltraFan geared turbofan demonstrator, signaling its intent to target the single-aisle market.

MTU and Pratt & Whitney want a place on the next narrowbodies developed by Boeing and Airbus. The engine-makers now rule out an open fan.

Boeing’s new leadership in Commercial Airplanes and at the top are likely just the beginning of major changes at the manufacturing giant.

For decades, aircraft manufacturers have preferred derivatives over all-new aircraft. That approach appears to be ending.

Two-thirds of Europe’s Clean Aviation research projects are focused on more sustainable advanced propulsion technologies for service entry in the mid-2030s.

Rolls says the UltraFan currently remains the only new engine architecture available for the future twin-aisle market.

With lower-than-expected time on wing at other airlines, Emirates decides against large order for the A350-1000 for now.

Commercial, military and advanced sustainability propulsion technology programs underpin ITP Aero growth plans following Rolls-Royce spin-off.

Clean Aviation structures a large part of the European effort toward future aeronautics, while research and technology are involved in early testing.

Propulsive efficiency gains could diminish for bigger turbofans unless nacelle drag can be reduced. Flight tests show promise from a short inlet design.

Build-up of the first module for the initial UltraFan engine demonstrator, UF001, has begun at Rolls-Royce’s Derby, England facility in preparation for tests starting in early 2022.

Company’s largest indoor engine test facility is a key part of the UltraFan development.

Rolls-Royce weathers COVID-19 supplier impacts to bring components together for first next-gen engine.