Rolls-Royce's Trent XWB is "certainly sufficient to power" the Airbus A350-1000 stretch, assures the European airframer's vice president of marketing Andrew Shankland.
Seeking to "dispel any rumours" regarding whether or not the A350-1000 is capable of performing its 14,800km (8,000nm) mission as advertised or not, Shankland told delegates today at the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT) conference in Scottsdale, Arizona that "the answer is 'it certainly is'," both in terms of the current airframe design and the current engine from partner Rolls-Royce.
Shankland notes that there are always "discussions with customers regarding potential changes to any aircraft in the future when you haven't yet hit the detailed definition phase", a point not yet reached for the -1000.
He adds: "It is true to say that when you talk to any airline, they'll always find a route which is a little bit further than any aircraft would fly. And so that is, if you like, a process of discussion, but no, the -1000 is ready to roll in terms of guarantees sold with the airplane to our launch customers for EIS [entry-into-service] in 2015."
The Trent XWB family comprises two basic engines to power the three A350 variants. The baseline 374kN (84,000lb)-thrust version for the A350-900 is derated to 351kN (79,000lb) for the -800, while an upgraded 414kN (93,000lb) thrust version will power the A350-1000.
All variants of the aircraft are "on time", says Shankland. "That means the -900 enters into service in 2013, the -800 in 2014 and the -1000 in 2015. And the engine thrust that we have from Rolls-Royce today is certainly sufficient to power the A350-1000."
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
