Rolls-Royce and Airbus have signed a collaboration agreement for the integration of Rolls-Royce’s UltraFan demonstrator for flight testing. The integration solutions demonstration will be co-funded by Clean Sky 2, the European Union research programme focused on developing technology to reduce emissions.

UltraFan is a scalable jet engine design suitable for widebody or narrowbody aircraft. It aims to offer a 25% fuel efficiency improvement over the first-generation of Rolls-Royce Trent engine.

Rolls-Royce has signed an agreement with Airbus to provide both nacelle and engine/aircraft integration architecture and technology enablers for UltraFan ground and flight tests.

Airbus integration solutions will play an important part in achieving the overall fuel efficiency improvement of higher bypass ratio engines such as UltraFan, through innovative architecture and associated technologies. The UltraFan technology development programme is seen as paving the way towards next-generation integrated propulsion systems.

UltraFan features a new engine core architecture and lean-burn combustion system which will contribute to improved fuel burn efficiency and lower emissions, along with a carbon titanium fan blade system and composite casing which reduce weight. The engine also introduces a geared design to deliver efficient power at high-bypass ratios.

Aspects of the wider UltraFan demonstrator activities are receiving co-funding support from a combination of European CleanSky and UK & German state schemes.