The Anonymous Widower

New Rolls-Royce Small Engine Set To Begin Tests To Advance Hybrid-Electric Flight

The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release from Rolls-Royce.

These are the first two paragraphs.

Rolls-Royce today announces its new small gas turbine that has been specifically developed to power hybrid-electric flight is set to begin testing. The engine is part of a turbogenerator system that is being developed for the Advanced Air Mobility market. This includes electrical vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) Aircraft for Urban Air Mobility and Commuter Aircraft applications up to 19 seats.

The turbogenerator system will complement the Rolls-Royce Electrical propulsion portfolio by delivering an on-board power source with scalable power offerings between 500kW and 1200kW enabling extended range on sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and later, as it becomes available, through hydrogen combustion. This will open up new, longer routes than electric battery powered aircraft can support as of today.

The press release also lays out these design targets.

• Power – 600-1200 kW
• Voltage – 850 Volts
• Power to Weight Ratio – 4 kW/Kg
• Noise – 62 dbA
• Specific Fuel Consumption v in-service products – 15% better
• MTBO – 10,000 cycles
• Length – 1,500 mm.
• Diameter – < 500 mm.

Note.

1. At first look, it appears to be small and powerful.
2. If they can meet the Power to Weight Ratio of 4 kW/Kg, this would mean that a 1200 kW engine will weigh just 300 Kg.
3. The engine has been designed to run on sustainable aviation fuel and hydrogen.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see this engine used in non-aviation applications.

June 20, 2023 - Posted by AnonW | Energy, Transport/Travel | Advanced Air Mobility, Aviation, Electric Aircraft, Rolls-Royce, Sustainable Aviation Fuel