Program Funded Primarily by the U.S. Airforce

Rolls-Royce has achieved a significant milestone in the Adaptive Versatile Engine Technology (ADVENT) research program, delivering the adaptive fan system rig on schedule to the U.S. Air Force Compressor Research Facility (CRF). Rig testing will commence and will validate the performance of a key component of the LibertyWorks ADVENT engine.

Testing will be conducted over several months and will focus on variable cycle engine performance, a critical component in achieving high-thrust capability for take-off and maneuvering, while reducing fuel consumption for long range and loiter operations.

Phil Burkholder, Chief Operating Officer for LibertyWorks, said: “The LibertyWorks technologies being created for the ADVENT program represent a revolution in gas turbine engines, improving existing performance capabilities while delivering the benefits required by our customers: lower fuel burn and greater range. Achieving this critical milestone is an important step toward demonstrating the benefits of adaptive propulsion in future aircraft.”

In August 2007, Rolls-Royce was awarded a $296 million contract by the AFRL for work to develop ADVENT technologies that focus on an adaptive engine architecture to provide a 25 per cent improvement in average fuel consumption and reduced temperature cooling air for thermal management. In late 2009, the U.S. Air Force is scheduled to select a single contractor for Phase 2 of this program that will cover final design, component testing and full engine manufacture. This will culminate in engine demonstrator testing scheduled for 2012.

The ADVENT technology demonstrator program, undertaken by Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc. (LibertyWorks), is funded by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). ADVENT is part of Versatile Affordable Advanced Turbine Engines (VAATE), an initiative sponsored by industry and Government partners to advance state of the art turbine engine technology for military and commercial aviation.

FMI: www.rolls-royce.com