Rolls-Royce has flown the demonstrator engine for the Boeing 787-9, a higher-thrust version of its Trent 1000 powerplant.
The manufacturer says it conducted the initial flight with a Boeing 747-200 testbed in Tucson, Arizona.
It has also completed a 150h endurance test at the manufacturer's UK facility in Derby, as well as over-temperature tests through which the powerplant must be run at temperatures exceeding normal limits.
Rolls-Royce is upgrading the Trent 1000 for the 787-9. The engine will deliver 74,000lb (329kN) and feature a new turbine case cooling system.
Further upgrade of the Trent 1000 is planned, including a thrust increase to 76,000lb in order to power the proposed 787-10X stretch.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
