Building the new Trent family of engines From the outset of its Trent programme, Rolls-Royce's vision was to build on its three-shaft design to create a full engine family. With new launches during 1997, the family has taken shape and the programme has passed the 1,000 order mark.
Since the first Trent 700 went into service in 1995 on the Airbus A330-200, rated at some 320kN(72,000lb), the family has grown to cover the range of engine thrusts from below 250kN to more than 450kN.
Each year has seen a new milestone. In 1996 the first Trent 800 went into service for the Boeing 777-200 with an initial 340kN. Last year it was followed by deliveries for the heavier 777-200IGW version, becoming the highest thrust-rated engine to go into airline service at 410kN.
The Trent 8104, with a world-beating 460kN, is being developed for the proposed 777-200X/300X derivatives, and Rolls-Royce is the only manufacturer so far to offer an engine for the planned Airbus A3XX with the 360kN Trent 900.
Adapting the technology to lower thrust levels has produced the Trent 500, which is the only engine being offered on the new Airbus A340-500/600 types.
All of this has been achieved with the same basic technology and just two fan diameters. Finally, Rolls-Royce has used the Trent high pressure core to update its RB.211, the original three shaft engine which powers the Boeing 747-400.
Source: Flight International
