Rolls-Royce tests new engine compressor

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NATIONAL HARBOR, Md., Sept. 21 (UPI) -- An advanced engine compressor to help reduce fuel consumption by U.S. Air Force aircraft is being tested by Rolls-Royce.

The testing of the compressor, under the Air Force's Highly Energy Efficient Turbine Engine technology program, is being conducted at the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory in Indiana.

AFRL awarded the contract worth $24.3 million to Rolls-Royce in 2007.

"By achieving the goals of the HEETE program with our demonstrator, Rolls-Royce will have proven advanced compressor technology that can be applied to future transport, patrol and ISR applications, ranging from our successful AE family to larger engine applications, to meet the future needs of the U.S. military by increasing range and reducing fuel consumption," said Tom Bell, Rolls-Royce's president of Customer Business-Defense.

"The Rolls-Royce advanced technology HEETE program is yet another example of the successful work carried out by our LibertyWorks unit."

The HEETE technology development program is focused at this time on high-temperature, high-pressure ratio compressor technologies and their related thermal management features which will later help define next-generation engine architecture for Air Force transports, tankers, ISR aircraft and sub-sonic strike vehicles.