Rolls-Royce AE 3007

Rolls-Royce AE 3007 is a high-bypass turbofan engine developed for regional jets and business aircraft. Producing between 6,440 and 9,000 lbf of thrust, it is renowned for its reliability and efficiency, powering a range of prominent aircraft. The engine's design lineage traces back to the Allison Engine Company's work on the T406 and has become a cornerstone of Rolls-Royce's regional aviation portfolio.

Development and design

The AE 3007 originated from the Allison Engine Company in Indianapolis, evolving from the core technology of the AE 1107 turboshaft that powers the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey. Following the acquisition of Allison by Rolls-Royce in 1995, the program was fully integrated. The engine features a single-stage fan, a 14-stage axial-flow high-pressure compressor, and an annular combustor, driving a two-stage low-pressure turbine and a two-stage high-pressure turbine. Key design goals included achieving excellent specific fuel consumption and low noise levels for compliance with ICAO standards, utilizing advanced materials and FADEC systems for optimal performance.

Operational history

The AE 3007 entered service in 1996 powering the Embraer ERJ 145, a launch that established its reputation in the regional airline market with operators like American Eagle and ExpressJet. Its operational profile expanded significantly with the record-breaking Cessna Citation X, the fastest civilian business jet, and the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk, a high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle used by the United States Air Force and NASA. The engine family has accumulated millions of flight hours across commercial, business, and military applications, demonstrating exceptional dispatch reliability and durability in diverse environments from the NATO theaters to transcontinental routes.

Variants

Several variants have been developed to meet different thrust requirements and aircraft needs. The initial AE 3007A1 produced 7,420 lbf, while the AE 3007A1/3 and A1P provided incremental thrust increases. The AE 3007C, with up to 9,000 lbf, powers the Cessna Citation X+. Military derivatives include the AE 3007H for the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk and the F137-RR-100 (AE 3007H) for the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton. The AE 2100 turboprop shares a common core, used on aircraft like the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules and Saab 2000.

Specifications (AE 3007C)

* Type: Twin-spool, high-bypress turbofan * Length: 125.5 in (3.19 m) * Diameter: 49.5 in (1.26 m) fan * Dry weight: 1,645 lb (746 kg) * Compressor: 1-stage fan, 14-stage HP axial compressor * Combustors: Annular * Turbine: 2-stage HP, 2-stage LP * Maximum thrust: 6,440–9,000 lbf (28.6–40.0 kN) * Bypass ratio: 5.0:1 * Thrust-to-weight ratio: 3.8–5.5

Applications

The engine's primary applications include the Embraer ERJ 135, Embraer ERJ 140, and Embraer ERJ 145 regional jet family. It is also the sole powerplant for the Cessna Citation X and Cessna Citation X+ business jets. In military and special mission roles, it powers the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk, the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton, and the Scaled Composites Proteus experimental aircraft. The engine's versatility has made it a critical component for manufacturers like Embraer, Textron Aviation, and Northrop Grumman.

Category:Aircraft engines Category:Rolls-Royce aircraft engines