Rolls-Royce Initiates Testing of Its Most Powerful Business Aviation Engine

Rolls-Royce, a renowned manufacturer of jet engines for both commercial and military aircraft, has ignited its flight test campaign for the Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X, its most powerful business jet engine to date.

This marks a significant milestone for the company as the Pearl 10X is poised to revolutionize business aviation with its exceptional performance and efficiency.

Powering the Dassault Falcon 10X 

The Pearl 10X is specifically designed to propel the Dassault Falcon 10X, the latest flagship aircraft from the esteemed French manufacturer Dassault Aviation.  This state-of-the-art engine marks a historic first for both companies, signifying the inaugural collaboration between Rolls-Royce and Dassault on a business jet platform.

Putting the Pearl 10X Through its Paces: The Flight Test Program

To ensure the engine meets the highest standards of performance and reliability before customer delivery, Rolls-Royce has meticulously planned a comprehensive flight test program.  Over the coming months, a team of experienced pilots and flight test engineers will conduct a series of rigorous tests, evaluating the Pearl 10X across a wide range of flight conditions.

These tests will include:

• Engine performance checks at various speeds and altitudes

• In-flight restarts

• Evaluation of the engine's nacelle anti-icing system

• Fan vibration tests at various altitudes

This meticulous testing process is crucial for guaranteeing the engine's optimal operation and passenger safety in real-world scenarios.

“We are excited to enter into this important next phase of the engine development program with the start of our flight test campaign. All the tests completed to date confirm the reliability of the engine and show it will meet the performance requirements,” stated Senior Vice President Philipp Zeller of Dassault Aviation.

The Rolls-Royce Flying Test Bed: A Unique Testing Platform

Central to the Pearl 10X's flight test program is the Rolls-Royce Flying Test Bed (FTB).  This specially modified Boeing 747-200 aircraft serves as a unique platform for testing new engine designs in real-world flight conditions.

The FTB boasts the capability to accommodate a variety of engines simultaneously, allowing engineers to assess the Pearl 10X alongside existing Rolls-Royce engines like the Trent 1000 and RB211.  The Trent 1000 is renowned for its exceptional fuel efficiency, while the RB211, a proven turbofan engine, has been a mainstay in commercial aviation since the 1970s.

This unique configuration transforms the FTB into a five-engine aircraft, providing valuable insights into the Pearl 10X's interaction with other engine systems.

Deborah Robinson, Director of Test and Experimental Engineering at Rolls-Royce, emphasizes the significance of the FTB: "The FTB is a great asset to us. It is part of a wide range of test capabilities and helps ensure that the engines do everything required. While computers and rig tests can do so much, testing in the air takes it even further. They can perform a wide range of tests to confirm the results of extensive ground and rig test programs. We can take the opportunity to test the corners of the flight envelope and feedback into our extensive models."

The vast amount of data collected during these flight tests, exceeding 20GB per day (more than the average monthly data usage of a UK household!), is instrumental in refining the Pearl 10X and ensuring its seamless integration into the Dassault Falcon 10X business jet.

A New Era for Business Aviation

The Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X signifies a groundbreaking development in business jet propulsion. With its emphasis on power, efficiency, and reliability, this engine is poised to propel the Dassault Falcon 10X to the forefront of corporate travel. The successful completion of the flight test program paves the way for the introduction of this revolutionary engine into service, transforming the business aviation landscape.