Alerts Sign-up
Rolls-Royce is advancing its position in the aviation engine market with the development of the UltraFan, a large and efficient turbofan engine that could impact competitors such as General Electric (GE). The UltraFan, known as UF001, features a 140-inch fan diameter, making it larger than GE Aviation’s GE9X, which has a 134-inch fan. According to Rolls-Royce, “UltraFan also features a new geared architecture (introduced between the fan and intermediate pressure compressor), ensuring the fan runs at optimum speed, as does the engine compressor and turbine thanks to the core architecture. The carbon titanium fan system is further developed to allow the removal of the thrust reverser, enabling a truly slim-line nacelle system.”
The size of a turbofan engine plays a key role in its efficiency. Larger engines can move more air at lower acceleration rates, which leads to improved fuel efficiency. The UltraFan is designed for a 15:1 bypass ratio and 70:1 overall pressure ratio. In comparison, GE’s GE9X offers a 10:1 bypass ratio and 60:1 overall pressure ratio.
The UltraFan project includes two planned variants—the UltraFan 30 for narrowbody aircraft and the UltraFan 80 for widebodies. Alan Newby, director of research and technology at Rolls-Royce, said regarding the smaller variant’s fan size: “will be bigger than current narrowbody engines [...] pushing towards 90 inches.” He added, “What we are trying to do now is to develop an integrated development programme that features both small and large assets.”
