24th Jun 2009 10:00
24 June 2009 ROLLS-ROYCE BR725 ENGINE RECEIVES EASA TYPE CERTIFICATION
Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has received type certification for the new BR725 engine that will power the first flight of the Gulfstream G650 business jet later in the year. Type certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is for thrust ratings of 16,100lbf (71.6 kN).
Since first engine run in April 2008, the BR725 has completed all major development testing as well as accumulating almost 1,100 running hours and 3,500 engine cycles.
Dr Norbert Arndt, Director Engineering, Rolls-Royce Deutschland, said: "The BR725 development programme has progressed extremely quickly and efficiently with a clear focus on technology and delivering key milestones. Test results have been outstanding and confirm all of our expectations. We are very proud to have achieved this certification milestone on schedule. We are now looking forward to first flight and the flight test programme."
During development testing the engine demonstrated exceptional performance operating at sea-level and altitude conditions. It also proved its ability to cope with bird-strike, ice, hail and water ingestion as well as passing the critical fan blade containment test, during which a fan blade is deliberately released at maximum speed. The fan blade containment test was performed in a new indoor test bed at the company's Derby facilities.
Testing was undertaken at various Rolls-Royce locations in Europe and the US, including Dahlewitz in Germany, Derby in the UK and the Rolls-Royce outdoor jet engine testing facility, located at NASA's John C Stennis Space Centre, Mississippi, USA as well as the altitude test bed at AEDC (Arnold Engineering Development Center) in Tullahoma, Tennessee, USA.
The G650 programme was launched in 2005 and Rolls-Royce was selected to power this new business jet. Testing of first development engines began in spring 2008. First flight test engines were dispatched to Gulfstream from the Rolls-Royce Dahlewitz facility earlier this year. First flight of the G650 is planned for later this year, BR725 serial production is scheduled for 2010 and the G650 is due to enter service in 2012.
Developed to rigorous standards, the BR725 has completed a demanding development schedule hitting all milestones and development gates as planned at the programme outset. The BR725 is the sixth new civil engine development programme to come out of Rolls-Royce on time and on budget in as many years.
The Gulfstream 650
The Gulfstream G650 ultra-large-cabin, ultra-high speed business jet flies faster and further than any traditional business aircraft, carrying up to 18 people. It will be capable of non-stop legs of 7,000 nautical miles - equivalent to Dubai-New York or London-Buenos Aires. With its powerful Rolls-Royce BR725 engines, the G650 will also be capable of covering shorter distances at a speed of Mach 0.925.
Notes to Editors:
1. The 16,100lbf (71.6 kN) thrust BR700-725A1-12 is the most advanced and
powerful member of the BR700 engine series. It sets new standards with
regard to fuel consumption and emissions. All BR700 engines are
manufactured by Rolls-Royce at its Dahlewitz facility in Germany.
2. The BR725 fan has a diameter of 50 inches and is made up of 24 titanium fan
blades. It is based on the proven "swept" Rolls-Royce Trent engine fan
design. The scimitar-shape of the blades leads to improved aerodynamic
efficiency and lower noise.
3. In 2008, Rolls-Royce and its partners invested £885 million on research and
development, two thirds of which had the objective of further improving the
environmental aspects of its products, in particular the reduction of noise
and emissions.
4. Rolls-Royce, a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use
on land, at sea and in the air, has established a strong position in global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy. In each of these sectors, Rolls-Royce offers value-added long-term service agreements for customers and operators.
5. The company has a broad customer base including more than 600 airlines,
4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed
forces, more than 2,000 marine customers, including 70 navies, and energy
customers in nearly 120 countries.
6. With facilities in 50 countries, Rolls-Royce employs 39,000 people
worldwide and has businesses headquartered in the UK, U.S., Canada, Germany, Scandinavia and China. This global presence allows the Group to access long-term international growth opportunities with its technology, presence, partnerships and people.
For further information please contact:
Mark AlflattDirector of Financial CommunicationsTel: +44 (0)20 7227 [email protected] PriceInvestor Relations ManagerTel: +44 (0)20 7227 [email protected]
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