Rolls-Royce Technology Passes NOAA Tests
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA government agency has completed testing on Indiana-produced parts for its “Hurricane Hunter” aircraft. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says improvements to 10 engines made by Rolls-Royce in Indianapolis could be ready early next year. May 19, 2014
News Release
The WP-3D “Hurricane Hunter” aircraft of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) have completed flight tests to qualify the fuel-saving T56 Series 3.5 engine enhancement package developed by Rolls-Royce.
The Series 3.5 engine enhancement specifications provide for 7.9 percent reduction in fuel use, and ground tests have demonstrated up to 13 percent improvement. The enhancement package also allows T56 engines to operate at significantly lower turbine temperatures, extending parts life and improving reliability by 22 percent.
NOAA contracted with Rolls-Royce for the flight test qualification; following successful qualification, the contract will include standard overhauls plus technology insertion in ten engines for its two WP-3D aircraft and spares. Lockheed Martin, manufacturer of the aircraft, conducted flight testing of the new enhancement packages for NOAA to complete engine qualification.
The first NOAA WP-3D aircraft fully equipped with the Series 3.5 enhancements is expected to reenter service beginning in early 2015.
Tom Bell, Rolls-Royce, President Defense, said, “We are thrilled to see flight tests complete for our launch customer of the T56 Series 3.5 engine enhancement. NOAA is dedicated to its crucial mission of keeping the public safe and enriching lives through science, and we are proud to have developed innovative technology that will enhance their operations and lower maintenance costs.”
NOAA Corps Cmdr. Devin Brakob, veteran NOAA Hurricane Hunter and aircraft specialist with the NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operation's Platform Acquisition Division, said, “The NOAA team is excited about the possibilities the Series 3.5 engine enhancement package can bring to our WP-3D fleet and so far the project has been a true team effort between NOAA, Rolls-Royce, and Lockheed Martin.”
The highly trained men and women from NOAA fly directly into storms in sensor-packed planes to gather data forecasters need to monitor hurricanes and predict their path. NOAA uses two types of aircraft to gather data on hurricanes—the four-engine Lockheed Martin WP-3D Orion turboprop, and a Gulfstream IV-SP jet, powered by two Rolls-Royce Tay engines.
The T56 Series 3.5 engine enhancement package has also completed all requirements for US Air
Force qualification on the C-130 and recently received FAA certification for the commercial version of the T56 engine. The US Air Force has estimated that incorporating the engine enhancement into its C-130 fleet would save $2 Billion, while extending the life of the fleet for decades.
The T56 Series 3.5 engine enhancement can be installed as part of a conventional engine overhaul, and does not require any aircraft or engine control system modifications. In addition to the US Air Force and NOAA, international operators of C-130 and P-3 aircraft are also considering incorporating the T56 engine enhancement into their fleets.
About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc
1. Rolls-Royce's vision is to create better power for a changing world via two main business
segments, Aerospace and Marine & Industrial Power Systems (MIPS). These business
segments address markets with two strong technology platforms, gas turbines and reciprocating engines, for use on land, at sea and in the air.
2. Aerospace comprises Civil Aerospace and Defence Aerospace. MIPS comprises Marine,
Energy & Nuclear and Power Systems (RRPS). On 7 March 2014, Daimler announced their
intention to exercise their option to sell their 50 percent share in RRPS to Rolls-Royce Holdings plc.
On 16 April 2014, Rolls-Royce and Daimler announced that they have agreed the valuation of
Daimler’s 50 percent equity interest. The transaction is expected to complete within the coming months and is subject to the usual regulatory approvals.
3. Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 120 countries, comprising more than 380 airlines and leasing customers, 160 armed forces, 4,000 marine customers, including 70 navies, and 1,600 energy and nuclear customers.
4. Our business is focused on the 4Cs:
-Customer – placing the customer at the heart of our business
-Concentration – deciding where to grow and where not to
-Cost – continually looking to increase efficiency
-Cash – improving financial performance.
5. Annual underlying revenue was $24.8 billion in 2013, around half of which came from the
provision of aftermarket services. The firm and announced order book stood at $114.56 billion at 31 December 2013.
6. In 2013, Rolls-Royce invested $1.76 billion on research and development. We also support a
global network of 31 University Technology Centres, which position Rolls-Royce engineers with
the forefront of scientific research.
7. Rolls-Royce employs over 55,000 people in 45 countries. Over 17,000 of these are engineers.
Source: Rolls-Royce Holdings plc