Arnold Engineering Development Center’s (AEDC) Aeropropulsion Systems Test Facility C2 test cell in the US has been conducting simulated altitude performance and operability tests on the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB (extra-wide body) engine set.

Rolls-Royce officials and AEDC’s support contractor Aerospace Testing Alliance (ATA) said the Trent XWB is not only the largest engine under development by the company, but it is also one of the largest engines tested at AEDC. Turbine Engine Ground Test Complex project manager Andrew Fist said AEDC is performing a full suite of performance and operability testing, and helping Rolls-Royce prepare for certification testing for the engine family.

The information obtained from the development programme will be used to regulate the performance models and to predict the fuel efficiency of the engine during its prolonged use. The data derived through the ground testing at AEDC will help to validate mathematical models of the engine and will also lead the continued development of the power plant.

The operability testing of the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine was primarily focused on evaluation of safe operation limits under a range of stressing flight and engine conditions. The validation process involves flight-testing, certification and production and takes several years to complete.

After securing the operational certification, Rolls-Royce’s massive Trent XWB developmental engine will power the Airbus A350 XWB, which is a family of long-range, wide-body jet airliners.