Rolls Royce have proved the new engine upgrade for Rolls-Royce AE 1107C turboshaft engines that power the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor ...
The upgrades boosted engine power by 17 percent and maximized hot and high field performance to 6,000 feet of altitude and 95°F.
The flight tests were conducted in a V-22 test aircraft, and completed this summer in the western United States.
The upgrade is acheived through adoption of a new Block 3 turbine, an increase in fuel valve flow capacity and software updates.
Rolls-Royce has invested $90 million in the AE 1107C engine upgrades since 2009, reducing the maintenance cost per flight hour by 34 percent.
The Rolls Royce propulsion team developed, qualified, tested and fielded the upgraded engines in only seven months. The upgrade doubled the Time on Wing in only one year.
Rolls-Royce is incorporating the improvements into the fleet through a MissionCare™ contract with the U.S. government.
US Navy has recently released a Request For Information (RFI) for a alternate engine to power all V-22s with U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps. Royce which didnt expect the RFI, said it will respond with the improved AE 1107C engine.
Rolls Royce says the AE 1107C engine has the potential to increase its power rating to over 8,000 shp and the engine has demonstrated the capability to produce over 8,800 shp in ground tests.
The RFI seeks a alternate power plant should fit into the current V-22 nacelle with minimal structural or external modification. The engine should produce less than 6,100 shp at 15,000 rpm and capable of operating up to 25,000 ft.
