Julian Moxon/PARIS Guy Norris/LOS ANGELES
Rolls-Royce is in talks with Boeing about supplying a common version of its Trent 600 engine to power both the proposed 767-400ERX and 747X family.
The move, expected to be revealed officially at the Farnborough show, would give Rolls-Royce a significant marketing edge over General Electric and Pratt & Whitney. Neither of the US engine makers can match this proposal unless the co-developed GP7000 can be made available on the long-range twin.
Under the terms of the European Union ruling on the admissibility of the GE-P&W Engine Alliance, only quad jet applications such as the 747X and Airbus A3XX can be considered for the GP7000.
Although both Boeing and the Engine Alliance have confirmed that the GP7000 provides a "better" technical solution for the proposed extended-range 767-400ERX model than derivative GE and P&W engines, all confirm that complex legal moves would be required before it could be offered. Flight International understands, however, that Boeing could offer the engine on the twin should it be specifically requested by a carrier.
The Trent 600 will be a derivative of existing Trent family engines and will have a new swept fan using technology already in hand for the Airbus A3XX's Trent 900 powerplant. The fan diameter has recently been increased, from 2.47m (97.5in) to 2.59m, providing a higher bypass ratio and improved fuel burn.
Thrust of the new variant, which will be scaled from the Trent 500 under development to power the Airbus A340-500/600, will be between 68,000lb (302kN) and 72,000lb, while the A3XX's Trent 900will be certified at 80,000lb thrust with growth potential to 84,000lb.
The core of both variants will have full three-dimensional aerodynamics and an advanced low-emissions combustor, while counter-rotating high-pressure, intermediate-pressure and low-pressure stages are being considered by the engine maker.
"We are in discussions with Boeing about powering Boeing 747 and 767 developments with the Trent 600," says Rolls-Royce, which declines to reveal details before the Farnborough air show, when Boeing is expected to reveal further details of its plans for the 747X family (Flight international, 18-24 July).
Development of the swept fan began during Rolls-Royce's campaign to power the Boeing 777X with the Trent 8104 - which became a technical demonstrator after GE was selected as sole engine supplier for the aircraft. The fan was run for the first time in December 1999.
"We're at a very advanced stage of initial design of the Trent 900," says Ian Kinnear, head of the Trent 500/900 programmes. "The basic architecture will be frozen by the end of the year".
Source: Flight International
