Aero-engineering giant Rolls-Royce has formally opened its vast new jet engine testbed in Derby.
The 81,000 sq ft Testbed 80 building – which cost £90 million and took almost three years to build – is said to be the “largest and smartest indoor aerospace testbed” in the world.
It was officially opened by business, energy and industrial strategy minister Kwasi Kwarteng, who said it was proof that the 海角视频 “remains a global leader in aero-engine technology”.
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He said: “I’m proud that we’re supporting Rolls-Royce’s development of the highly-efficient UltraFan engine, as well as investment in green and cutting edge aerospace technology here in the 海角视频 that will create high-skilled, well-paid jobs for decades to come.
“As the civil aviation market recovers, the innovation of great British companies such as Rolls Royce and the entire aerospace sector are central to our plans to build back better from the pandemic and end our contribution to climate change by 2050.”
The facility, which is bigger than a Premier League pitch, used a Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine for its first test earlier this year. It is big enough to accommodate individual engines with enough thrust to launch a Boeing 747.
Rolls Royce chief executive Warren East said: “Testbed 80 is the largest facility of its type in the world.
“However, it is not only big, it is also smart and features the most advanced testing technology we have ever used.
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“As the new global hub of our testing capability, it will support the next stage of our UltraFan programme as we begin ground testing the first demonstrator in 2022.
“This incredible piece of infrastructure is a very visible sign of our commitment to this site and secures the future of Derby as the home of large engine development, continuing a history that began in the late 1960s with the RB211.”
The facility – which has a 140,000-litre fuel tank – will be able to test the Trent XWB and the Trent 1000 engines as well as the new UltraFan demonstrator for the next generation engines, as well as hybrid and all-electric flight systems which will come online in the future.
Rolls Royce said the data systems inside Testbed 80 can analyse 10,000 different parameters, using an intricate web of sensors that detect even the tiniest vibrations at a rate of up to 200,000 samples per second.
They can be used to monitor how every component behaves in a range of conditions.
The testbed also has a powerful X-ray machine able to capture 30 images per second and beam them directly to a secure cloud, where engineers around the world can analyse them along.
A spokeswoman said: “We’re the only engine manufacturer in the world to X-ray our engines while they are running.
“This unique test allows us to inspect engines to minute levels of detail and obtain precise levels of data.”