CFM highlighted how the LEAP engine gave substantial benefits with major improvements on fuel burn, while P&W showcased its PW1100G geared turbofan. Rolls-Royce announced Trent 1000-TEN, an advanced version of the Trent engine family.

The Maruti automobile ad wherein an Indian shoots a question “kitna deti hai” (how much does it give... referring to mileage) comes to my mind. It is not just an Indian obsession. It is a worldwide phenomenon as fuel prices keep spiralling northwards.

More than the automotive sector, the aviation sector has all the more reasons to ask such questions. Less fuel burn is what all aviation operators are looking at. In India, aviation turbine fuel accounts for 40 per cent of operational costs of an airline and any savings on the fuel improves the company’s bottom line.

Concerted efforts are on to burn less fuel and one primary input is engine efficiency and airliners are closely examining the engines on this scale. Engine manufacturers are rejigging their engines to give the best mileage and lo there is a battle out there.

At Farnborough, engine manufacturers engaged in a battle of words.

Thrust, Efficiency and New Technology Mantra

Rolls-Royce set the ball rolling announcing that it would develop the Trent 1000-TEN (thrust, efficiency and new technology), an advanced version of the newest member of the Trent engine family, the Trent XWB. The -TEN will be certified to 76,000 lb. of thrust, with the capability to deliver 78,000 lb, and will become the Rolls-Royce engine offering for the -8 and -9 from 2016 onwards.

The Trent XWB, from which the -TEN will be derived, is under development for the new Airbus A350 XWB, for which it is the exclusive engine.

Rolls-Royce is targeting the -TEN on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, stating that it would affect up to three per cent less fuel consumption compared with the Trent 1000s which competes with GE Aviation’s GEnx.

Not to be outdone by the announcement, GE said it would refine component efficiencies across its CF6-80E1 engine to provide up to a one per cent improvement in fuel efficiency for Airbus’ enhanced A330 aircraft with a 240-tonne takeoff-weight capability and an extended nautical mile range.