Airbus has chosen the Rolls Royce Trent 700 turbofan engine to power its fleet of new Beluga XL transporter aircraft based on the Airbus...
Airbus has chosen the Rolls Royce Trent 700 turbofan engine to power its fleet of new Beluga XL transporter aircraft based on the Airbus A330 widebody commercial jet.
The $700m worth deal including long-term TotalCare®engine service support, will cover the five new Beluga XL aircraft that will enter service beginning in 2019.
Airbus's Beluga fleet transports oversize aircraft parts including wings, across Airbus's European manufacturing and assembly lines.
The Beluga XL will eventually replace the current fleet of 5 Beluga transports based on the Airbus A300 aircraft and powered by the GE CF6 engines.
The Beluga XL was launched in November 2014 to address the A350 XWB ramp up and the transport capacity requirements for other program. Compared to the current Beluga, the Beluga XL will provide Airbus with an additional 30 per cent air transport capacity.
The Trent 700 series is a three shaft turbofan engine family with thrust ranging from 68000-72000 lbf.
The engine was developed to power the A330, and first entered service in 1995 as the first member of the Trent engine family.
Today, 1500 engines delivered has accumulated more than 30 million flying hours operating with 66 customers.
In June, Airbus has announced the aerostructure suppliers for the program.
