Ultra Novel and Innovative Fully Integrated Engine Demonstrations

The journey to climate-neutral aviation will require the power density of an ultra-efficient gas turbine combined with SAF, all highly integrated into an advanced aircraft platform for the SMR aircraft category. As the Clean Aviation SRIA states, this SMR aircraft category generates approx. 50% of the current share of air transport emissions, demonstrating the importance of the focus that is required on propulsion technology. The UNIFIED project will develop and demonstrate UltraFan®, a high performance scalable UHBR ducted turbofan to a TRL5 maturity level, targeting a 20% fuel reduction for SMR aircraft anticipating 2035 EIS. This TRL5 will be achieved via the project enabling technologies and enhancing design to deliver a full engine ground test at SMR thrust class.UNIFIED will importantly progress readiness for UltraFan Flight Test Demonstration including flight test vehicle design, flight test instrumentation and engine flight clearance readiness. Within this preparation, testing of the UltraFan Key Architecture will be conducted to generate evidence for Flight clearance. In parallel to the focus on demonstration and flight test preparation UNIFIED will create strong foundations for EIS. The consortium looks forward to working with EASA, progressing the CRL of the UltraFan architecture and technologies. Also, engagement with Lufthansa Technik will provide strong insight on the MRO aspects that will be critical to the successful deployment of UltraFan into the SMR sector. The activities of UNIFIED, led by Rolls-Royce, will bring airframer, suppliers, academics and research centres all strongly integrated within the UltraFan Programme. Synergies will be leveraged with the comprehensive national and regional programmes across the consortium that enable technology maturity at all levels. All with the objective to demonstrating that UltraFan is the most capable and credible engine architecture solution to meet SMR requirements and readiness for EIS 2035.