Rolls-Royce Olympus

Rolls-Royce Olympus
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Name	Rolls-Royce Olympus
Type	Turbojet
Manufacturer	Rolls-Royce Limited
First run	1950
Major applications	Avro Vulcan, BAC TSR-2, Aérospatiale/BAC Concorde
Number built	Over 1,700
Developed into	Rolls-Royce Marine Olympus

Rolls-Royce Olympus. The Rolls-Royce Olympus is a twin-spool, axial-flow turbojet engine originally developed by Bristol Siddeley and later produced by Rolls-Royce Limited. It achieved legendary status as the powerplant for the Avro Vulcan strategic bomber and, in its most famous reheat-equipped development, the Aérospatiale/BAC Concorde supersonic transport. Renowned for its high power, reliability, and innovative design, the engine also saw extensive use in marine and industrial applications, cementing its place as one of the most significant jet engines of the 20th century.

Development and design

The engine's genesis began at Bristol Aeroplane Company under the leadership of Stanley Hooker, with design work starting in 1947 to meet a Ministry of Supply requirement for a powerful new turbojet. A key innovation was its two-spool (twin-spool) compressor design, featuring separate low-pressure and high-pressure compressor sections driven by independent turbines, which greatly improved efficiency and compressor stability. This advanced architecture allowed the Olympus to achieve exceptionally high pressure ratios for its era, a critical factor in its superior performance. The initial Bristol Siddeley Olympus Mk. 100 first ran in 1950 and underwent extensive testing, with its development continuing after the merger of Bristol Siddeley into Rolls-Royce Limited in 1966. The design proved highly adaptable, forming the basis for the specialized Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 developed for Concorde with Snecma of France, which incorporated complex afterburner (reheat) and variable intake systems for sustained supersonic flight.

Operational history

The Olympus entered Royal Air Force service in 1956, powering the Avro Vulcan B.1, a cornerstone of the V bomber strategic nuclear deterrent force during the Cold War. Its reliability and power were thoroughly proven in this demanding role, which included long-range patrols and rapid-response alerts. The engine's operational ceiling was dramatically demonstrated in 1957 when a specially modified English Electric Canberra B.2, powered by an Olympus, set a world altitude record of over 70,000 feet. The Olympus 593's history is synonymous with Concorde, entering commercial service in 1976 with British Airways and Air France and providing transatlantic supersonic travel for 27 years without a single engine-related passenger fatality. The engine also saw combat service, notably during the Falklands War in 1982, where Vulcans performed the famous Operation Black Buck long-range bombing missions against Argentine positions at Port Stanley.

Variants

Numerous variants were produced, broadly categorized by application. Early aviation models included the Olympus 101 for the Vulcan B.1 and the more powerful 200-series for the Vulcan B.2. The BAC TSR-2 used the Olympus 22R, featuring a sophisticated afterburner. The pinnacle of the family was the Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593, developed jointly for Concorde, with sub-variants like the 593-610 featuring further refinements. The Rolls-Royce Marine Olympus was a derived industrial gas generator, used to drive Royal Navy ships like the Type 21 and Type 22 frigates, and the Invincible-class aircraft carrier. Industrial variants were also used for power generation and pipeline pumping duties.

Applications

The primary aviation application was the Avro Vulcan. It was also selected for the advanced, but cancelled, BAC TSR-2 strike aircraft and, most famously, the Aérospatiale/BAC Concorde. The marine derivative powered several classes of Royal Navy warships, while industrial versions were installed in power stations operated by utilities like the Central Electricity Generating Board and on pipelines such as those operated by the British Gas Corporation.

Specifications (Olympus 593)

* **Type:** Twin-spool turbojet with afterburner * **Length:** 4.04 m (159 in) * **Diameter:** 1.21 m (47.5 in) * **Dry weight:** 3,175 kg (7,000 lb) * **Compressor:** Axial flow, 7-stage low-pressure, 7-stage high-pressure * **Combustors:** Annular * **Turbine:** Single-stage high-pressure, single-stage low-pressure * **Maximum thrust:** 169.2 kN (38,050 lbf) with afterburner * **Overall pressure ratio:** 15.5:1 * **Specific fuel consumption:** 1.195 lb/(lbf·h) (cruise, Mach 2.0) * **Thrust-to-weight ratio:** 5.4:1

Category:Aircraft engines Category:Rolls-Royce engines