Rolls-Royce has marked the 100th test event in its Orpheus engine technology demonstrator programme, while noting that its “rapid learning model – with continuous testing, iteration and collaboration – can bring about next-generation capability sooner”.
Launched in 2020 and unveiled at the Farnborough air show in July 2022, Orpheus has to date evolved into “20 different engine configurations”, the propulsion developer says.
Intended to accelerate the availability of technologies for use within the UK military’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS), the Orpheus effort will continue to “explore and validate next-generation twin-spool turbofan technology, transforming the approach to new propulsion system development, particularly for future autonomous collaborative platforms [ACPs]”, Rolls-Royce says.
“This milestone shows our ability to deliver future propulsion capability at pace,” says Pauli Markkanen, the company’s vice-president OrpheusWorks – product.
Rolls-Royce says its approach “is helping to radically reduce the time it takes to design, produce and test new components”, including by working with small- and medium-sized enterprises within its supply chain. “Some [are] engaging with defence for the first time, bringing fresh thinking and capabilities,” it notes.
Describing the activity as an “effective, agile, trusted and collaborative joint government and industry initiative that delivers value to defence”, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) says: “Orpheus is a success story with multiple exploitation opportunities.”
Rolls-Royce says the Orpheus work conducted to date has matured its engine architecture, positioning it “to support a family of products aligned with future autonomous collaborative platform needs”.
ACPs are viewed as likely to support operations by crewed UK types such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-35 and sixth-generation Tempest, being developed via the Global Combat Air Programme between Italy, Japan and the UK.
The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) recently announced fileding its first example of such a system, which combines the Tekever AR3 uncrewed air vehicle with Leonardo UK’s BriteStorm stand-in jammer technology. Named StormShroud, the aircraft could be used to suppress enemy air-defence radars in support of combat air activities.
Other benefits of the Orpheus project have included “component feasibility demonstrations, de-risking and accelerating technology readiness that can inform future platforms”, and “novel instrumentation trials, enabling deeper technical insight to inform other programmes”, Rolls-Royce says.
While all the testing conducted to date has been ground-based, the company tells FlightGlobal: “We are currently maturing the demonstrator engine towards flight clearance, ready to support platform providers as flight demonstration opportunities arise.”
Separately, the UK MoD has awarded the company a five-year Typhoon Engine Support Solution contract.
Announced on 8 May, the deal will see Rolls-Royce deliver continued maintenance and repair services for 130 Eurojet EJ200 engines used across the RAF’s fleet of Eurofighter combat aircraft.
Story updated on 19 May with Rolls-Royce comment about future flight demonstration potential.
