Rolls-Royce Selected to Develop Robust Electrical Power System for Future Energy-Optimized Aircraft

23 December 2008

The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has awarded Rolls-Royce a US$690,000 contract to design and develop a robust electrical power system (REPS) for a future energy-optimized aircraft. The project is part of the Integrated Vehicle Energy Technology component and subsystem development (INVENT-SDD).

The REPS initiative includes increasing power, improving efficiencies, and reducing lifecycle costs. The intent is to generate less heat, increase fuel efficiency and enable electricity capacity for various systems to meet the increasing demands of existing and future onboard systems.

Next steps will involve an assessment of all three critical technologies and integrated ground demonstrations of the consensus architecture for energy-optimized aircraft. Work will be undertaken by the company’s LibertyWorks research unit in Indianapolis, Indiana. This award is the third occasion in 15 months in which LibertyWorks has been selected for AFRL programs.

• In September 2007, Rolls-Royce was awarded a $19.6 million contract by the AFRL for work that will be carried out on the Highly Efficient Embedded Turbine Engine (HEETE) program—a key element within the US Air Force’s Versatile Affordable Advanced Turbine Engines (VAATE) program that aims to provide game-changing propulsion system capabilities with superior fuel efficiency. (Earlier post.)

• In August 2007, Rolls-Royce was awarded a $296 million contract by the AFRL for work that will be carried out on ADVENT (Adaptive Versatile Engine Technology), a technology demonstrator program for future US Military aerospace platforms. ADVENT work will focus on the development of variable cycle features that will enable a high-thrust capability and a separate loiter operation with reduced fuel consumption. (Earlier post.)