Rolls-Royce has secured European flight certification for the Airbus A350-1000’s powerplant, the Trent XWB-97.
The engine is a higher-thrust variant of the XWB-84 engine used for the smaller A350-900; this engine received type certification on 7 February 2013.
Rolls-Royce’s XWB-97 maintains the nacelle lines of the XWB-84 but features additional design characteristics, including an enhanced core, high-flow fan, and material changes to provide the increased power.
The Trent XWB-97 was developed to offer 97,000lb (431kN) thrust following Airbus’s decision to redesign the A350-1000 in 2011.
European Aviation Safety Agency type certificate documentation lists the dry weight of the engine as 7,550kg against the XWB-84’s 7,277kg.
Certification by EASA marks a further step to entry into service for the -1000, which is due to take place later this year with the initial aircraft for Qatar Airways.
