AE 3007

Overview

The Rolls-Royce AE 3007 is a compact high-bypass turbofan that brought the Allison Engine Company's military turbofan expertise into the commercial regional aviation market. Originally developed by Allison — a storied American engine manufacturer that Rolls-Royce acquired in 1995 — the AE 3007 powers the Embraer ERJ-135 and ERJ-145 family of 37-50 seat regional jets, as well as the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle in its AE 3007C variant.

The engine occupies the smallest commercial turbofan production segment — below the CF34-3 in thrust class — yet has accumulated an excellent reliability record in the demanding hub-and-spoke feed network environment where ERJ-145 family aircraft operate. With over 2,000 engines delivered across commercial and military applications, the AE 3007 represents a successful bridge between Allison's defense heritage and Rolls-Royce's commercial portfolio.

Technical Specifications

Variants

The AE 3007 family spans commercial and military applications:

• AE 3007A: Baseline commercial variant producing 33.1 kN (7,435 lbf) for the ERJ-135. Initial production variant certificated in 1995.
• AE 3007A1: Growth variant producing 37.0 kN (8,340 lbf) for the ERJ-145 and ERJ-145XR extended-range model. Adds improved turbine section for higher thrust and better hot-and-high capability.
• AE 3007A1E: Enhanced variant with FADEC upgrades and improved reliability for the ERJ-145 fleet operating in high-cycle regional service.
• AE 3007C: Military variant for the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk high-altitude long-endurance UAV. Optimized for long-duration cruise at high altitude rather than the repeated takeoff-climb-cruise-descent cycles of commercial regional service.
• AE 3007C1/C1E: Enhanced military variants for the Global Hawk Block 30/40 and the US Navy MQ-4C Triton maritime surveillance UAV.

Aircraft Applications

The AE 3007 powers two closely related regional jet types:

• Embraer ERJ-145 — The 50-seat ERJ-145 is the most successful aircraft of the ERJ family, with over 700 delivered. Rear-mounted AE 3007A1 engines kept the wing clean and allowed a narrower fuselage (2-1 seating) than competitors. American Eagle, Continental Express (now United Express), and Delta Connection operated large ERJ-145 fleets at the peak of the 50-seat regional jet boom.
• Embraer ERJ-135 — A shortened 37-seat derivative of the ERJ-145 sharing over 95% component commonality, including the AE 3007A. Entered service in 1999. Operated by smaller regional carriers where sub-50 seat capacity was commercially viable.

Development History

Allison Engine Company began developing the AE 3007 in the late 1980s as a commercial derivative of its T406 military turboshaft family, with the turbofan architecture targeting the emerging regional jet market. The first AE 3007 ground test run occurred in 1991, and Embraer selected the engine for its then-new EMB-145 regional jet program in 1989 — before the first engine test run, a decision based on Allison's engineering proposals and its respected military engine heritage.

Rolls-Royce's 1995 acquisition of Allison transformed the AE 3007 from a niche American defense-heritage product into part of one of the world's three major commercial turbofan manufacturers' portfolios. The integration gave the engine access to Rolls-Royce's global MRO network, significantly improving parts availability and technical support for regional airlines worldwide. The ERJ-145 family entered service with ExpressJet (Continental Express) in 1996 and quickly became one of the most numerous regional jet types in the United States.

The AE 3007's military career gained enormous visibility through the Global Hawk program, which requires sustained flight at altitudes above 60,000 feet for missions lasting over 30 hours. The AE 3007C's performance in this demanding application demonstrated engine durability well beyond typical commercial cycles and contributed to Rolls-Royce's defense engine credibility.