Rolls-Royce has ADVENT engine success

INDIANAPOLIS, June 25 (UPI) -- Rolls-Royce has delivered an adaptive fan system rig to the U.S. Air Force that marks an advance for the Adaptive Versatile Engine Technology research program.

British company Rolls-Royce says its Indianapolis-based LibertyWorks unit has delivered the adaptive fan technology to the Air Force Compressor Research Facility on schedule. The delivery marks a milestone in the development of the LibertyWorks ADVENT engine, part of the Versatile Affordable Advanced Turbine research program designed to advance turbine engine technologies for the military.

Following delivery, the Air Force Compressor Research Facility will begin testing the adaptive fan system rig, which officials say if successful would validate the performance of a key component for the ADVENT engine.

"The LibertyWorks technologies being created for the ADVENT program represent a revolution in gas turbine engines, improving existing performance capabilities while delivering the benefits required by our customers: lower fuel burn and greater range," Phil Burkholder, LibertyWorks chief operating officer, said in a statement.

"Achieving this critical milestone is an important step toward demonstrating the benefits of adaptive propulsion in future aircraft."