Dallas, June 30^th, 2021 – MTU Maintenance, global market leader in customized aero engine solutions, launches ON-SITE^Plus, a larger group of on-site, near-wing and quick-turn services. This development and rebranding of the portfolio underscores the importance of on-site and near wing activities as a means to reduce maintenance cost and extend on-wing times – a trend that has been particularly prevalent during the COVID-19 crisis and is expected to continue as the industry recovers post-pandemic.

MTU Maintenance’s growing ON-SITE^Plusteam carries out AOG support, on and near-wing repairs from borescope inspections to module swaps as well as hospital shop visits for the largest engine portfolio worldwide, including the popular CF6, CF34, CFM56, GE90, LEAP, and V2500 engines. The company has six on-site facilities across the globe and over 120 authority approvals.

“We intelligently customize solutions from all services in our broad portfolio to ensure continued and reliable operations,” says Martin Friis-Petersen, Senior Vice President MRO Programs, MTU Aero Engines. “Wherever possible we repair on or near-wing and to the highest MTU standards. In doing so, we minimize disruption, reduce overall cost and complexity, as well as maximize engine usage for our customers. We see great demand for such services in the future and as such, will continue to invest in this business area in coming years.”

Its largest ON-SITE^Plus facility MTU Maintenance Dallas, which can dispatch teams to customers or provide workscopes up to hospital shop visits, has recently expanded its available dock space by 40,000 square feet to provide short and long-term engine storage to support customer needs. MTU Maintenance Dallas is an MTU center of excellence for on-site and quick turn repairs for CF34, CF6, CFM56, GE90, V2500, PW2000 and PW4000 engines on the American continent.

“The ‘plus’ in ON-SITE^Plus symbolizes not only the wide range of our services and additional support, but also our credo ‘customer first better every day’ in which we are dedicated to going above and beyond and always delivering more,” adds Arne Straatmann, Director of On-Site Services, MTU Maintenance. “Time is of the essence when it comes to such services, and we provide smart customized service packages that encompass various aspects of the MTU portfolio to increase the speed of our response. These include for instance, material solutions from our own supply in AOG situations or spare engines to ensure continued operations during repair.”

With over 30 engines in its portfolio, MTU Maintenance has completed over 20,000 shop visits in 40 years. The company combines this engineering expertise with in-depth market understanding and robust financial strength to create the best solutions for customers. MTU Maintenance has facilities in the Americas, Asia and Europe and employees over 5,800 engine experts from over 60 different nationalities.

Source: MTU Maintenance

16 June 2021

Rolls-Royce is entering new aviation markets to pioneer sustainable power and as part of that mission we will be developing energy storage systems (ESS) that will enable aircraft to undertake zero emissions flights of over 100 miles on a single charge. In order to deliver this ground-breaking technology, we are planning an £80m investment in ESS over the next decade, that will create around 300 jobs by 2030 and strengthen our position as the leading supplier of all-electric and hybrid-electric power and propulsion systems for aviation.

Aerospace-certified ESS solutions from Rolls-Royce will power electric and hybrid-electric propulsion systems for eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing) in the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) market and fixed-wing aircraft, with up to 19 seats, in the commuter market. By 2035, Rolls-Royce is planning to integrate more than 5 million battery cells per annum into modular systems. These modules will deliver market-leading energy density levels.

Rob Watson, Director of Electrical, Rolls-Royce, said: “This multi-million-pound investment by Rolls-Royce over the next decade is another demonstration of our ambitions in electrification. We are developing a portfolio of energy storage solutions to complement our electrical propulsion systems. This will ensure that we can offer our customers a complete electric propulsion system for their platform, whether that is an eVTOL or a commuter aircraft. It will enable us to be a ‘one-stop shop’ for all-electric or hybrid-electric propulsion systems, which is incredibly exciting as these new markets develop and expand.”

Rolls-Royce has been delivering battery solutions for many years and we have designed 10 different aerospace battery systems, using state-of-the-art cell technology. Of these batteries, four designs have already flown in three aircraft, accumulating more than 250 hours of flight experience and another two designs will complete their first flight in aircraft in 2021. This includes a battery developed with Electroflight, our UK manufacturing partner in the ACCEL programme, in which we have built the Spirit of Innovation aircraft, that is aiming to be the world’s fastest all-electric plane. Both ACCEL and the initial research and technology we have undertaken to develop industry leading ESS are being supported by the UK Government through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI).

We are also working closely with WMG, University of Warwick through its High Value Manufacturing Catapult, an experienced research partner with extensive knowledge gained through supporting the automotive and other sectors, to develop our energy storage technology.

Battery pack design is a mechanical, thermal and containment design challenge and there has to be a strong focus on safety and low weight. These aspects are core to all the products that Rolls-Royce has a long history of producing in aerospace. This makes us ideally placed to deliver such industry-leading solutions.

Rolls-Royce and airframer Tecnam are currently working with Widerøe – the largest regional airline in Scandinavia – to deliver an all-electric passenger aircraft for the commuter market, which is planned to be ready for revenue service in 2026. Rolls-Royce will deliver the entire electrical propulsion system including an energy storage system for the new P-VOLT aircraft.

Pictures and video footage can be found here:

https://vimeo.com/563584470

https://bit.ly/35xliNv

 

About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

 

1. Rolls-Royce pioneers the power that matters to connect, power and protect society. We have pledged to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions in our operations by 2030 [excluding product testing] and joined the UN Race to Zero campaign in 2020, affirming our ambition to play a fundamental role in enabling the sectors in which we operate achieve net zero carbon by 2050.

 

2. Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 150 countries, comprising more than 400 airlines and leasing customers, 160 armed forces and navies, and more than 5,000 power and nuclear customers.

 

3. Annual underlying revenue was £11.76 billion in 2020 and we invested £1.25 billion on research and development. We also support a global network of 28 University Technology Centres, which position Rolls-Royce engineers at the forefront of scientific research.

 

For further information, please contact:

Sarah Jones –  Marketing & Communications, Rolls-Royce Electrical

sarah.jones2@rolls-royce.com

M +44 (0)7968 906 469

Source: Rolls-Royce

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, April 30, 2021 – This week, the Christchurch Engine Centre, a joint venture between Pratt & Whitney and Air New Zealand, celebrates its 20-year anniversary.

The Christchurch Engine Centre employs approximately 350 people and is one of the world’s best-in-class centers performing maintenance, repair and overhaul work for the V2500® engine. The V2500 engine is offered through IAE International Aero Engines AG, a multinational aero engine consortium whose shareholders comprise Pratt & Whitney, a unit of Raytheon Technologies Corp. (NYSE:RTX), Pratt & Whitney Aero Engines International GmbH, Japanese Aero Engines Corporation and MTU Aero Engines. It is the engine of choice for the efficient operation of A320ceo passenger and cargo airlines around the world, including Air New Zealand. The engine has powered more than 60 million flights, accumulating more than 240 million engine flight hours. Narrowbody aircraft powered by V2500 and Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines are leading the recovery in passenger services in the Asia Pacific region thanks to the engines’ lower fuel burn and lower trip costs.

Employees celebrated the milestone with an afternoon tea that opened with appreciation remarks from Graham Jack, general manager at Christchurch Engine Centre.

“We operate in a very competitive global marketplace, but thanks to the integrity, hard work and quality of service delivered by our employees, past and present, we’re able to put Christchurch on the map and attract business from all over the world,” said Jack. “I’ve been with this company for 25 years and still look forward to coming to work and working alongside some incredibly talented people.”

Jack acknowledged the difficulties facing the aviation sector but believes a corner has been turned and better days are ahead.

“2020 was a difficult year. It has not been easy for anyone. We continue to experience reduced commercial business as a result of this global pandemic, but things seem to be improving: The travel bubble between New Zealand and Australia is now established, and our customers are slowly returning to the skies. There’s still a long way to go but thanks to our amazing people, excellent customer relationships, the strength of the partnership between Pratt & Whitney and Air New Zealand, and most importantly the quality of our work, we will ensure we continue to go beyond for many years to come.”

Also sharing a message of thanks via video was Air New Zealand CEO, Greg Foran. Air New Zealand’s association with the Christchurch Engine Centre dates back to 1953, when as National Airways Corporation it transferred its maintenance and engineering division from Palmerston North to the city.

“Air New Zealand has enjoyed a long history with Pratt & Whitney. Their engines have supported our airline fleet from our early years to our current V2500-powered A320 fleet today,” Foran said.

“The joint venture has enjoyed many successful developments to make it the world-class business it is today. Most of all, I want to recognize the efforts of staff and management over the past 20 years who have contributed to make this joint venture so successful. Air New Zealand looks forward to working with Pratt & Whitney to continue to develop this business.”

Since 2005, Christchurch Engine Centre has overhauled 1,000 V2500 engines. Pratt & Whitney’s association with Christchurch goes back to 1948 when the company’s radial R1830, R1340 and R985 engines were serviced at the Harewood site.

Geoff Winter, a quality assurance systems and audit engineer, has worked at the facility for more than 20 years and was on-site when the joint venture came into effect.

“I’ve been in my current role 14 years now and with the company longer than that. I’ve had so many opportunities come my way, which keeps things challenging and fresh,” Winter said.

“It’s been fantastic to see the company grow, see it develop and diversify. The best thing about it though is the local team, there’s a lot of great people who work here. All with ideas, innovations and challenges that change your thinking and lead us to continuously innovate. I’m very proud of the work we do here in Christchurch. Long may it continue.”

Joseph Sylvestro, vice president of Global Aftermarket Operations at Pratt & Whitney, echoed these sentiments with a recorded message for employees.

“Your dedication, hard work and drive to support our customers has propelled Christchurch to become one of the world’s top engine overhaul centers. We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts and offer congratulations on your 20 years of continued success and world-class customer service,” Sylvestro said.

“At Pratt & Whitney, our culture prioritizes continuous learning, personal growth, diversity and exploration, and you help to consistently demonstrate these traits. Thank you for all that you do.”

About Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney, a unit of Raytheon Technologies (NYSE:RTX) is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines, and auxiliary power units. Raytheon Technologies Corporation is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. To learn more about RTX, visit its website at www.rtx.com. To receive Pratt & Whitney press releases and other news directly, please sign up here.

Source: Pratt & Whitney

Europe’s Next-Generation Fighter (NGF) within the FCAS program takes a decisive step forward as MTU Aero Engines and Safran Aircraft Engines finalized their collaboration agreement by creating a 50/50 joint company. The new entity, called EUMET GmbH (derived from European Military Engine Team), will be based in Munich and will be headed by a Safran-nominated Chief Executive Officer.

EUMET will oversee the development, production and support of the engine to power the Next-Generation Fighter (NGF). The joint venture will be the sole contract partner for the participating nations in the engine program. On this basis, MTU Aero Engines and Safran Aircraft Engines are looking forward to involve the Spanish company ITP Aero in this challenging engine roadmap. ITP will be contracted as a main partner to EUMET. Through EUMET, the partners will be developing the technology and demonstrators for a best-in-class engine that will meet the evolving needs of European armed forces.

“Establishing a joint company for this next European fighter engine is a further milestone in the close relationship of our companies which lasts already for six decades,” commented Michael Schreyögg, Chief Program Officer of MTU and first Chairman of the Shareholders Meeting of EUMET. “This opens the next chapter in European aerospace cooperation and mirrors our equitable partnership. We have set a reliable and solid framework for pragmatic and focused decisions among the partners over the entire life-cycle of the engine.”

“The conclusion of this agreement reflects the strong and joint determination of our two companies to undertake the technological development phase of the NGF engine,” noted Jean-Paul Alary, Chief Executive Officer of Safran Aircraft Engines. “We are looking forward to effectively undertaking this role and accountabilities throughout the program’s life, starting with key developments in R&T phase along with integrating the M88 engine into the NGF aircraft demonstrator.”

The collaboration agreement between MTU Aero Engines and Safran Aircraft Engines is based on the principles defined in the Letter of Intent (LoI) and Terms of Agreement (ToA) signed by the two companies in February and December 2019, respectively. The agreement will remain effective for the program entire lifespan. The agreement terms and conditions clearly define each of the partner’s industrial responsibilities: Safran Aircraft Engines will lead the engine’s overall design and integration, while MTU Aero Engines will lead the engine service activities. MTU Aero Engines and Safran Aircraft Engines will combine their respective skills and expertise according to the “best athlete” principle, within the scope of a balanced and effective governance structure and experts from both companies will jointly address the upcoming development challenges.

Source: MTU Maintenance

MTU Aero Engines, Safran Aircraft Engines, and ITP Aero came to an overall agreement on the cooperation to provide a jointly developed, produced and supported engine to power the Next-Generation Fighter (NGF), which is a core element of FCAS (Future Combat Air System).

ITP joining the program as a main partner of MTU’s and Safran’s new joint venture EUMET will allow an equal workshare between France, Germany and Spain. EUMET will be the sole prime contractor with the nations for all engine activities related to the Next-Generation Fighter, with ITP Aero acting as main partner.

“We have set a reliable and solid framework for pragmatic and focused decisions among the partners over the entire life-cycle of the engine”, commented Michael Schreyögg, Chief Program Officer of MTU and first Chairman of the Shareholders’ Meeting of EUMET. He continued. “Having reached this we will jointly focus on the major next steps ahead: Securing the contract for the demonstrator phase during the next few months and ramping up development activities in line with our highly ambitious timeline until 2040.”

“FCAS is a highly strategic program, enabling to maintain our fundamental competencies in military engines, while also strengthening national and European defense capabilities”, noted Jean-Paul Alary, Chief Executive Officer of Safran Aircraft Engines. “As leader of the NGF engine design and integration, Safran Aircraft Engines is looking forward to building solid foundations and strengthening the partnership with MTU and ITP Aero teams.”

“Today’s agreement marks a very relevant milestone for ITP Aero and the FCAS program. We believe this program will be instrumental for ITP Aero moving forward, showcasing the role and capabilities of the Spanish defence industry within the future of Europe’s defence. We look forward to working with our partners Safran and MTU Aero”, commented Carlos Alzola, CEO ITP Aero.

Within EUMET, Safran Aircraft Engines will lead the engine’s overall design and integration, while MTU Aero Engines will lead the engine service activities. ITP Aero will be fully integrated into the design of the engine and develop the low-pressure turbine and the nozzle amongst other items.

According to the timetable defined by the national authorities, the next Research & Technology phase (R&T 1B/2) should pass the national approval processes by the middle of this year in order to move the FCAS program to the next level.

Source: MTU Maintenance

Geoff Hunt is Pratt & Whitney’s senior vice-president, engineering & technology.

Commercial aviation has a unique opportunity when it comes to sustainable flight, and our industry must use multiple approaches to address the challenge.

We will of course continue to leverage our technical know-how and innovation to build future generations of ever-more efficient and capable aircraft.

Solution exists for aviation to reduce emissions, says Hunt

One immediate opportunity to radically reduce our dependence on fossil fuels is to develop a viable and robust sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) infrastructure and marketplace as a bridge technology, as we design and build the future generation of commercial aircraft, powered by hyper-efficient engines.

At the risk of simplifying matters, industry – with appropriate government support – can develop a viable, affordable path to using SAFs.

Fact: by 2035, 44,000 aircraft are expected to be in service, and the majority of those will still be flying in 2050 and beyond. Airlines cannot re-fleet entirely when the next generation of technology is introduced from 2035.

We need a solution that bridges the technology gap between now and our sustainable future state.

A robust SAF infrastructure and marketplace would take us to 2050 with a new baseline carbon footprint from which the industry will apply our collective knowledge to reduce our footprint even further, through the diligent development and use of new technology and innovation that it has always shown.

Advancements in gas turbine engines have already reduced fuel consumption and emissions, so the near-term flying fleet is performing better. For example, Pratt & Whitney’s geared turbofan technology, which entered service in 2016, delivers 16-20% better fuel efficiency and corresponding carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reductions. However, bringing future hyper-efficient technology to the market and into airline fleets will take time.

We know how to get there; those of us in industry, and our partners in government, need to get serious about a viable path for SAF development, production and distribution. The latest-generation engine technology today can fly on 100% SAFs under test conditions, though modifications to engine components may be required. This is not a pacing event for the industry.

We need SAFs developed at scale. Today, less than 1% of fuel needs are met by their use. Governments can provide the right mix of incentives and funding to stimulate supply and demand towards an economically competitive level.

TAX CREDITS

In Europe, we are seeing a move towards mandating a minimum level of SAF usage, while in the USA, the industry is calling for “blender’s” tax credits to reduce the price differential versus kerosene. Ultimately, we will need both of these carrots and sticks to lift the growth in SAFs beyond the anaemic progress to date.

There are currently seven SAF production pathways available, and industry will also need to find a balance to avoid competition with food producers for arable land, for instance, by focusing on waste-to-fuel and power-to-liquid solutions.

Transitioning to SAFs provides benefits beyond reducing CO2 emissions. By avoiding the impurities associated with fossil-based fuels, SAFs will also cut sulphur oxide and particulate emissions, which contribute to contrail formation and other climate change impacts.

These incremental benefits, along with those from other advancements in engine efficiency, will have a meaningful environmental impact – clearly an important factor given the scale of the challenge with boosting SAF production capacity.

Although we are also investigating zero emissions technologies like hydrogen- and electric-powered propulsion, these do not compete with the drive to implement SAFs at scale; in fact they are synergistic. The buzz around hydrogen helps build up our capacity for renewable energy sources that plays directly into power-to-liquid SAF production infrastructure.

Pratt & Whitney stands ready to work with regulatory authorities to test and develop global standards for SAFs to be used in engines as “drop-in” blends at or greater than the 50% blend with kerosene allowed today. Ideally, we need to develop standards to allow any and all SAFs to be used interchangeably throughout the world, by any airline on any large commercial aircraft.

The answer to more sustainable aviation is not asking people to travel less. This is unrealistic, and the past year has shown us how important it is to connect people and grow economies through affordable air travel. The answer is in employing smarter, more environmentally friendly technologies to help people and cargo take flight.

Our industry has proven its ability to meet any challenge with practical and pragmatic solutions, and we can, and must, do it again.

Source: Pratt & Whitney

Testbed 80 to test the most efficient aeroengines of today and the even more sustainable propulsion systems of the future

Rolls-Royce has officially opened Testbed 80, the world’s largest and smartest indoor aerospace testbed, in a ceremony with the Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng, Secretary of State for the Department of Business Energy & Industrial Strategy, in Derby, UK.

The completion of the project is a major milestone after almost three years of construction and a £90m investment. With an internal area of 7,500m2, making it larger than a Premiership football pitch, Testbed 80 was designed with distinctive technologies and systems which are more capable and complex than any of our other testbeds. The testbed conducted its first run on a Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine at the test facility in Derby, UK earlier this year.

Warren East, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce, said: “Testbed 80 is the largest facility of its type in the world. However, it is not only big, it is also smart and features the most advanced testing technology we have ever used. As the new global hub of our testing capability, it will support the next stage of our UltraFan programme as we begin ground testing the first demonstrator in 2022. This incredible piece of infrastructure is a very visible sign of our commitment to this site and secures the future of Derby as the home of large engine development, continuing a history that began in the late 1960s with the RB211.”

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, said: “This testbed here in Derby shows that the UK remains a global leader in aeroengine technology. I’m proud that we’re supporting Rolls-Royce’s development of the highly-efficient UltraFan engine, as well as investment in green and cutting-edge aerospace technology here in the UK that will create high-skilled, well-paid jobs for decades to come.

“As the civil aviation market recovers, the innovation of great British companies such as Rolls-Royce and the entire aerospace sector are central to our plans to build back better from the pandemic and end our contribution to climate change by 2050.”

Testbed 80 will support all three pillars of our sustainability strategy. Firstly, continuing to improve the efficiency of the gas turbine. The facility has been designed to test a range of today’s engines, including the Trent XWB and the Trent 1000, but will also have the capability to test the UltraFan® demonstrator, the blueprint for our next generation of engines. UltraFan will be 25% more efficient than the first Trent engine, and we will begin ground testing the demonstrator at the testbed in 2022.

Secondly, we are committed to promoting the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs), which can already be used as “drop-in” fuels in our existing engines. Testbed 80 has been designed to support this commitment – it is equipped with a 140,000-litre fuel tank (you could fill your car up almost 3,000 times with this amount of fuel) for different fuel types, including SAFs. Next year, we also plan to run our first UltraFan demonstrator test using 100% SAF.

Finally, in line with our ambition to pioneer novel, more sustainable technologies, the testbed is designed to have the capability to test the hybrid or all-electric flight systems of the future.

Part of the new technology development for Testbed 80 has been supported by the ATI’s PACE project, specifically for the UltraFan.

Rolls-Royce is pleased to have partnered with MDS Aero Support Corporation of Ottawa, Canada, for the design and construction of this facility.

Source: Rolls-Royce

Pratt & Whitney, a division of Raytheon Technologies Corp. (NYSE: RTX), today announced it has signed an agreement with Teledyne Controls, a data delivery solutions provider that uses innovative technology to collect, manage and deliver aircraft data to more than 300 global airlines. This collaboration will enhance engine health management services offered to Pratt & Whitney powered aircraft, focused on Teledyne Control’s global customers.

“Working with Teledyne Controls, Pratt & Whitney will expand its capabilities for collecting full-flight data to a larger population of aircraft. By using a service that many airlines already subscribe to, we will leverage an existing ecosystem to bring additional benefit to our customers,” said Joe Sylvestro, vice president of Global Aftermarket Operations at Pratt & Whitney. “These advanced engine parameter data points will paint a cohesive digital picture of aircrafts’ health, further enabling Pratt & Whitney to draw insights and provide predictive maintenance.”

Teledyne Control’s data delivery solutions will expand the channels of customer data access for Pratt & Whitney and enhance the services offered through EngineWise® solutions. As the OEM, Pratt & Whitney is committed to driving maximum engine reliability and performance through its portfolio of innovative, straight forward solutions and its world-class support network.

“We are thrilled to be working with Pratt & Whitney to ensure our customers are receiving the best care for their engines,” said Michael Penta, vice president of Sales and Marketing at Teledyne Controls. “We believe in having a community available to support the customer. As the digital service provider, we are the conduit between the airline and the OEM, feeding selected parameters of the full-flight data to Pratt & Whitney, while giving the airline control over the sharing of their aircraft flight data. We realize each airline is different; therefore, we work with each customer, ensuring their data gets where it needs to go.”

This agreement between Pratt & Whitney and Teledyne Controls is all about meeting customers’ evolving needs and enhancing service to keep their operations running smoothly. Leveraging the full flight data, Pratt & Whitney EngineWise Insights Plus provides greater insights and preventative maintenance recommendations that optimize performance, mitigate fleet disruptions, reduce customers’ operating costs and maximize time in the air.

About Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney, a unit of Raytheon Technologies (NYSE: RTX), is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines, and auxiliary power units. Raytheon Technologies Corporation is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. To learn more about RTX, visit its website at www.rtx.com. To receive press releases and other news directly, please sign up here.

For further information: Pratt & Whitney, +1 (860) 565-9600, media@prattwhitney.com

Source: Pratt & Whitney

Rolls-Royce is further strengthening its commitment to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by launching a new service – SAFinity, which will initially cater for business aviation customers. As a first of its kind, this flexible programme combines independently verified sustainability projects with direct investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuel, aiming to support further and accelerate the availability and use of SAF in the aviation industry.

SAFinity enables business aviation customers to operate flights in a carbon-neutral way. It is available for all business aircraft and engines from any manufacturer and is part of our ongoing ambition to play a leading role in enabling the sectors in which we operate to reach net zero carbon by 2050.

On the occasion of EBACE Connect, the virtual European business aviation convention & exhibition, Rolls-Royce and Luxaviation Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will make the Luxembourgian company, which is one of the world’s largest business aircraft operators, the launch customer for this new service.

Frank Moesta, Senior Vice President Strategy & Future Programmes at Rolls-Royce Deutschland, said: “As the leader in business aviation services we are excited about bringing our pioneering service SAFinity to the market and with Luxaviation Group we found the perfect, sustainability-focused launch partner to start at reasonable scale. While we are also working on electrification or hydrogen technologies as long-term alternatives to fossil fuels, the use of SAF as a low-emission solution is essential to today’s decarbonisation of long-distance air travel and we actively support the ramp-up of its availability to the aviation industry.”

Nicolas Kroll, Head of Sustainability Projects, Luxaviation Group, added: “This partnership with Rolls-Royce is a further manifestation of Luxaviation’s corporate sustainability strategy that has seen the launch of a number of initiatives in 2021. We have been integrating sustainability into our decision-making process for a number of years already to improve our ways of operating as part of our promise to our customers and employees. We seek to continuously improve the way we do business and strive to offer a sustainable journey, both on the ground and in the air. To achieve this, industry engagement and partnerships are key to success. In this spirit, we are very proud to partner with Rolls-Royce for the roll-out of their SAFinity programme for business aviation.“

In recent tests, Rolls-Royce demonstrated that current engines for large civil and business jet applications can operate with 100% SAF as a full “drop-in” option, laying the groundwork for moving this type of fuel towards certification. At present, SAF is only certified for blends of up to 50% with conventional jet fuel. Unblended Sustainable Aviation Fuels have the potential to significantly reduce net CO2 lifecycle emissions compared to conventional jet fuel.

About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

1. Rolls-Royce pioneers the power that matters to connect, power and protect society. We have pledged to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions in our operations by 2030 [excluding product testing] and joined the UN Race to Zero campaign in 2020, affirming our ambition to play a fundamental role in enabling the sectors in which we operate achieve net zero carbon by 2050.
2. Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 150 countries, comprising more than 400 airlines and leasing customers, 160 armed forces and navies, and more than 5,000 power and nuclear customers.
3. Annual underlying revenue was £11.76 billion in 2020 and we invested £1.25 billion on research and development. We also support a global network of 28 University Technology Centres, which position Rolls-Royce engineers at the forefront of scientific research.

About Luxaviation Group

Since 1964, the Luxaviation Group has been tailoring private travel experiences for a global clientele.  Founded by André Ganshof van der Meersch, a Belgian entrepreneur, pilot and nobleman, our fifty plus-year history still proudly takes flight with our commitment to creating excellence through visionary, pioneering and innovative private aviation experiences.

Luxaviation Group is comprised of top-of-the line aviation brands: Luxaviation, Luxaviation Helicopters, Starspeed, and ExecuJet. Our more than 1300 employees work in an around-the-clock operation on five continents, delivering stellar service in the areas of aircraft management for private and commercial aircraft, private air charter services, and the management and operation of VIP passenger terminals in 26 airports around the globe.

Ever innovative in spirit, the group has leveraged its global perspective, carrying the value of its founder into its transformation as the world’s premier luxury experience travel company. Through the development of bespoke luxury travel packages in private jets, various ventures, fine wines, and our very own Luxaviation Client Service Training Academy, we are honoured to evolve our brand in keeping with the ever-changing luxury travel landscape.

 

Luxaviation considers corporate sustainability as an integral part of its business strategy. The company has been integrating sustainability into their decision-making process, actively handling social and environmental concerns that surround their business and continuously seek to improve their ways of operating.

luxaviation.com

 For further information, please contact:

Stefan Wriege

External Communications – Business Aviation & Rolls-Royce Deutschland

Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG

Tel +49 (0) 171 6130802

Email stefan.wriege@rolls-royce.com

Juliane Thiessen

Chief Marketing Officer

Luxaviation Group

Tel: +41 (0) 76 356 8251

Email: juliane.thiessen@luxaviation.com

 

Rolls-Royce has officially unveiled the Pearl® 10X, the third and most powerful member of its market-leading Pearl engine family for the business aviation market. The engine has been optimised to exclusively power Dassault’s brand-new flagship aircraft, the Falcon 10X, which was revealed during a digital ceremony at Le Bourget airport in Paris today.

With more than 3,600 business jets powered by Rolls-Royce engines in service, we are the world’s leading engine supplier in this market. Our Pearl 10X is the newest member of the state-of-the-art Pearl engine family and the first Rolls-Royce engine ever to power a business jet of the famous French airframer. Dassault’s selection of the Pearl 10X for its new top of range product is another testament to our position as the engine manufacturer of choice in business aviation.

The Pearl 10X features the Advance2 engine core, the most efficient core available across the business aviation sector, and combines it with a high-performance low-pressure system, resulting in a superior thrust of more than 18,000lb. Compared to Rolls-Royce’s last generation of business aviation engines the Pearl 10X offers a 5% higher efficiency, while delivering outstanding low noise and emissions performance. The result is an engine that offers a market-leading combination of power and efficiency. This combination will enable customers and operators to have premium airport accessibility and fly ultra-long-range connections whilst also being able to travel nearly as fast as the speed of sound.

It brings together innovative technologies derived from the Rolls-Royce Advance2 demonstrator programme and proven Pearl family features to deliver world-class environmental performance. This includes a highly-efficient blisked fan; a high pressure compressor with a market-leading pressure ratio and six blisked stages; an ultra-low emissions combustor; a two-stage shroudless high pressure turbine as well as an enhanced four-stage low pressure turbine that is one of the most efficient and compact in the industry. This suite of technologies is all housed together within a brand new, ultra-slimline nacelle from Spirit AeroSystems.
The engine is being developed at the Rolls-Royce Centre of Excellence for Business Aviation Engines in Dahlewitz, Germany, and is currently undergoing a comprehensive test programme, which includes the capability to operate on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuels.

One of the new key features of the Pearl 10X will be 3D-printed combustor tiles, manufactured by an advanced Additive Layer Manufacturing process. This pioneering technology, which supports the exceptional environmental performance of the engine, has been developed and extensively tested as part of our Advance2 programme.
Chris Cholerton, President Civil Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, said: “This is a very special day for Rolls-Royce and the dedicated Pearl team, who have been passionately working behind the scenes to make this programme a reality. We are extremely proud that Dassault has chosen us to power their flagship Falcon 10X, and I would like to congratulate the Dassault family as well as the Falcon team on this special occasion. Today marks the start of a successful partnership and, with our pioneering Pearl 10X engine and leading customer service, I look forward to supporting Dassault as they continue to impress their customers in the ultra-long-range corporate jet market.”
Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO, Dassault Aviation, said: “The Pearl 10X is perfectly matched to our performance requirements for our new, ultra-long-range jet and proved itself to be the best solution also for reliability and efficiency. New technologies within its core and its digital controls make it the benchmark for powerplant technology in this business aviation segment.

Moreover, Rolls-Royce’s track record for product support ensures an outstanding customer service experience.”
Dr Dirk Geisinger, Director Business Aviation and Chairman Rolls-Royce Deutschland, added: Excellent customer support is a key focus for Dassault and Rolls-Royce – both of us have been ranked number one in our own categories for consecutive years in AIN’s Product Support Surveys. As the leading engine manufacturer in Business Aviation, our customers can trust in us to deliver outstanding levels of in-service support.

Designed for outstanding reliability, the Pearl family is supported by Rolls-Royce CorporateCare® Enhanced, the most comprehensive service programme in business aviation. CorporateCare Enhanced offers substantial financial and operational benefits to customers, increasing asset value and liquidity, mitigating maintenance cost risk and protecting against the unforeseen costs of unscheduled events anywhere in the world. Increased aircraft availability, reduced management burden, full risk transfer, direct priority access to the Rolls-Royce services infrastructure and remote site assistance are further customer benefits.

The Pearl engine family is part of the Rolls-Royce IntelligentEngine vision of a future where product and service become indistinguishable thanks to advancements in digital capability. As well as a new-generation Engine Health Monitoring System that introduces advanced vibration detection, the family benefits from the incorporation of advanced remote engine diagnostics. It is also enabled for bi-directional communications, allowing for easy remote reconfiguration of engine-monitoring features from the ground. Cloud-based analytics, smart algorithms and Artificial Intelligence continue to play an increasing role in delivering exceptional levels of availability and greater peace of mind for our customers.

Source: Rolls-Royce