Rolls-Royce Trent 1000-TEN Gets EASA Nod

Rolls-Royce announced here yesterday that it had received certification approval for the Trent 1000-TEN engine that powers the Boeing 787. The engine is an advanced version of the powerplant that the 787 has used since entry into service in 2011.

The engine draws on technology from the Trent XWB for the Airbus A350 and the UK engine maker’s Advance engine program. Tests of the Trent 1000-TEN on R-R’s flying testbed aircraft, a Boeing 747, in Tucson, Arizona started in March. Tests with the engine fitted to a 787 will start later this year.

Also announced at the show here yesterday was a new collaboration agreement between Rolls-Royce and Microsoft incorporate advanced analytics and the so-called Internet of Things (IoT) into its TotalCare services package for lead partner Singapore Airlines. The new digital capability is built on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform and uses the company’s Azure IoT Suite to collect and aggregate data from disparate, geographically distributed sources—and Cortana Intelligence Suite–to uncover data insights. It also manages and integrates much broader quantities of engine operational data.

According to Rolls (Hall 4 Stand B18), the results will help airlines reduce fuel consumption, fly routes more efficiently and ensure the right teams and equipment are in place to service engines more quickly, all meant to increase airplane availability.

“We have done much over the last 20 years to reduce costs and improve efficiency, but we want more,” said Rolls-Royce senior vice president of services Tom Palmer. “We must now exploit digital capability and Big Data technologies to proactively drive an even higher level of operational performance. Teams will take signals and information from many sources and turn it into an individual aircraft strategy that uses the least fuel, avoids disruption and is served with minimum downtime.”

Singapore Airlines has agreed to serve as the lead development partner in the project. “Our flight operations and efficiency teams are working closely with Rolls-Royce to drive performance to the highest possible level in our business,” said Singapore Airlines vice president of flight operations control KK Goh. “We can see real savings when data and robust analytics are applied to support decision making in our processes and actions.”

Separately, Rolls-Royce announced Monday that it will buy the outstanding 53.1 percent shareholding in Industria de Turbo Propulsores (ITP) owned by Sener Grupo de Ingenieria. Under the terms of the deal, Rolls will pay Sener a total of €720 million ($950 million) for the outstanding shares in ITP. Under the existing shareholder agreement, Rolls will pay eight, equally spaced installments over a two-year period. Rolls-Royce will determine whether it will settle final consideration in the form of cash, or cash and Rolls-Royce shares, over the payment period. The companies expect to conclude the deal early next year.

According to Rolls, the acquisition strengthens its position on its civil aerospace large-engine growth programs by capturing “additional value” from its long-term aftermarket revenues, including those associated with the Trent 1000 and Trent XWB, where ITP has played a key role as a risk and revenue sharing partner.