Rolls-Royce completes 100 per cent Sustainable Aviation Fuel test programme

According to Rolls-Royce, this fulfils a commitment made in 2021 to demonstrate there are no engine technology barriers to using 100 per cent SAF.

A ground test on a BR710 engine at the company’s facility in Canada completed the test regime. Other engines tested as part of the programme included the Trent 700 – 1000 range, Trent XWB-84 and 97, Trent 7000, BR725, Pearl 700, Pearl 15 and Pearl 10X.

Testing involved a variety of ground and flight tests to replicate in-service conditions, which all confirmed the use of 100 per cent SAF does not affect engine performance.

In a statement, Simon Burr, group director of Engineering, Technology and Safety, Rolls-Royce plc, said: “This is an important milestone, not just for Rolls-Royce, but also for the wider civil aerospace industry.

“We hope the success of these tests provides a level of technical validation that supports those who seek to invest in the production of 100 per cent SAF going forward.”