Rolls-Royce has shipped the first production Trent XWB turbofan engine that will power the Airbus A350 XWB's entry into commercial se...
Employees and guests gathered to wave the engine off on its journey to Toulouse, France, where it will be later integrated on to the first A350 XWB aircraft to enter service.
Exclusively designed for Airbus A350, Trent XWB, is 16 per cent more efficient than the first-generation Trent engines that entered into service in 1995, with more than 1,600 already sold to 40 customers.
Chris Young,Rolls-Royce, Trent XWB Programme Director, said: "This is an exciting moment for all of us, and marks the first of many Trent XWB deliveries for service. When we reach peak production in 2017 we will be delivering a Trent XWB every working day."
The engine powered the A350's first test flight in June 2013 from Toulouse, France. Since then the aircraft has carried out a variety of test flights, including high altitude testing in Bolivia, hot weather testing in Al Ain, UAE, and cold weather testing in Iqaluit, Canada. Airbus currently flies four flight test prototypes of A350 powered by Trend XWB, with fifth expected to join the flight test fleet shortly.
Qatar Airways has ordered 80 of these aircrafts, including 43 A350-900s and 37 A350-1000s.
Rolls Royce says the 50,000 hp engine will provide a 10 per cent fuel burn advantage, saving $2.5 million per aircraft per year in fuel costs.
