Rolls-Royce (Chalet 93) and Liebherr Aerospace (Chalet 279, Hall 2a A276) have agreed to establish a 50-50 joint venture to develop manufacturing capability for the power gearbox of Rolls-Royce’s new UltraFan engine. The UltraFan is a geared design based on technology that could be ready for service in 2025, the engine manufacturer said.
The power gearbox will enable the UltraFan to deliver efficient power over a range of takeoff thrusts for future high-bypass-ratio engines. Rolls-Royce said the engine will offer at least a 25-percent improvement in fuel burn compared with the first generation of its Trent engines.
The joint venture, located in Friedrichshafen, Germany, will provide production engineering for the power gear drivetrain components. Manufacturing will initially be done in existing Liebherr facilities. As production volume increases, “The joint venture will look for options for creating a standalone manufacturing infrastructure,” the companies said.
