Rolls-Royce

Trent 900

High-Bypass Turbofan In Production

Technical Specifications

Thrust
356,0 kN (80.000 lbf)
Bypass Ratio
8,5:1
Fan Diameter
2,947 m
Pressure Ratio
39,0:1
SFC
0,2850 lb/lbf·h
Dry Weight
6.246 kg
Length
4,953 m
First Run
2004
In Service
2007

Overview

The Rolls-Royce Trent 900 is the largest member of the Trent engine family and one of only two powerplants certified to fly the Airbus A380. With a fan diameter of nearly three metres, it is among the physically largest commercial turbofan engines ever built. Its three-spool architecture is a hallmark of all Trent engines, allowing independent optimisation of the fan, intermediate compressor, and high-pressure core.

The Trent 900 competes exclusively with the Engine Alliance GP7200 on the A380 platform. Airlines including Emirates, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines have selected the Trent 900, while others such as Air France chose the GP7200. The engine entered service with Singapore Airlines in October 2007 on the world's first A380 commercial revenue flight.

Technical Specifications

SpecificationValue
Thrust (max)356 kN / 80,000 lbf
Bypass ratio8.5:1
Fan diameter2.947 m (116.0 in)
Overall pressure ratio39:1
Dry weight6,246 kg
Length4.953 m
SFC (cruise)0.2850 lb/(lbf·h)
First run2004
In service2007

Variants

  • Trent 970/972: Standard production variants for the A380-800, rated at 70,000–80,000 lbf.
  • Trent 970B/972B: Enhanced variants with improved fuel consumption and revised nacelle integration.
  • Trent 977: Higher-thrust variant for the A380 freighter, which was cancelled before production.

Aircraft Applications

Development History

Rolls-Royce launched the Trent 900 programme in 2000 to compete for the A3XX (later A380) contract. The engine first ran in March 2004, and EASA certification was achieved in 2006. The defining safety event in the Trent 900's history was Qantas Flight 32 on 4 November 2010, when a Trent 972B suffered an uncontained intermediate-pressure turbine disc failure shortly after departure from Singapore. Shrapnel penetrated the wing and disabled multiple aircraft systems. All 469 people on board survived. The investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau identified a fatigue crack caused by a manufacturing defect in an oil feed stub pipe. Rolls-Royce issued a series of airworthiness directives, modified the oil system design, and instituted enhanced inspection regimes. The Trent 900 fleet returned to full service and has accumulated a strong safety record since.