Rolls-Royce begins flight test campaign for Pearl 10X engine

by AvioBlog · 4 Aprile 2024

Rolls-Royce has announced the commencement of the flight test campaign for its latest engine, the Pearl 10X, tailored for the business aviation market. The tests are being conducted aboard the company’s dedicated Boeing 747 flying testbed.

The Pearl 10X was chosen exclusively by Dassault Aviation, the French aircraft manufacturer, to power its newest business jet, the Falcon 10X. It marks a significant stride in Rolls-Royce’s focus on expanding its presence in the business aviation sector.

The flight testing of the Pearl 10X is a comprehensive process that aims to validate its performance and reliability in real-world conditions. Pilots and flight test engineers stationed in Tucson, Arizona, evaluate various parameters, including engine performance, handling characteristics, anti-icing system functionality, and fan vibration at different altitudes.

“We are excited to enter into this important next phase of the engine development programme with the start of our flight test campaign,” Philipp Zeller, Senior Vice President for Dassault at Rolls-Royce. “All the tests completed to date confirm the reliability of the engine and show it will meet the performance requirements to power Dassault’s flagship, the Falcon 10X.”

After the Falcon 5X was canceled due to the shortcomings of the Safran Silvercrest engine, Dassault Aviation entrusted Rolls-Royce to design a new business jet powerplant. In May 2021, it unveiled the Falcon 10X, the French manufacturer’s largest business jet to date, featuring a 2.03-meter-tall cabin and a 2.77-meter-wide cabin.

It will be powered by two Pearl 10X engines, delivering more than 18,000 pounds of thrust. The engine will be the largest and most powerful version of the Pearl business engine series, also offering improved noise reduction and a 5% gain in efficiency compared to its predecessors.