Rolls-Royce (Booth X98) reports that its Pearl 10X engine is on track to begin flight trials on the company’s Tucson-based Boeing 747 testbed later this year. The engine—which is destined for Dassault’s forthcoming Falcon 10X—delivers more than 18,000 pounds of thrust and is compatible with 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel operation. It is the first time a Rolls-Royce product has been selected to power a Falcon business jet.
At the heart of the Pearl 10X is Rolls-Royce’s Advance2 core, which combines with technology developed for the current-generation Pearl engines to create a highly efficient powerplant that will push the Falcon 10X to near-sonic speeds. The powerplant incorporates a high-efficiency blisk fan, compressor with six blisk stages offering a market-leading pressure ratio, two-stage shroudless high-pressure turbine, and four-stage low-pressure turbine.
The result is an engine that offers a 5 percent greater efficiency compared with the current Pearl generation while further reducing noise and emissions. Further, the additive-layer-manufactured combustor contributes significantly to the engine's low-emission performance, while a new accessory gearbox increases the amount of power that can be extracted for aircraft systems.
Tests to date have been conducted on the Advance2 demonstrator, as well as in the full Pearl 10X configuration, in which it exceeded its thrust requirement on the first run. Earlier this year, the powerplant was tested in its bespoke Spirit AeroSystems nacelle, engine build-up, and mount system. More than 1,500 hours of running time have been accumulated to date and have confirmed the engine’s reliability and its ability to meet Dassault’s performance requirements.
Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce is building a production support plant close to the Dassault final assembly facility at Bordeaux-Mérignac. The 2,000-sq-m (21,500-sq-ft) facility at Le Haillan will accommodate around 30 employees and feature offices, a workshop, and warehouse. It will play a significant role in Falcon 10X production and flight-test activities.