Rolls-Royce RR500
The Rolls-Royce RR500 is a family of small gas turbine engines being developed by Rolls-Royce Corporation . The RR500TP turboprop variant is intended for use in small aircraft. The RR500TS is the turboshaft variant designed for light helicopters.
RR500 | |
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The RR500TS was unveiled at Heli-Expo 2009. | |
Type | Turboprop/turboshaft |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Rolls-Royce Corporation |
Developed from | Rolls-Royce RR300 |
Design and development
The RR500 is a larger derivative of the Rolls-Royce RR300 turboshaft, with the engine core scaled-up for increased power. [1]
The basic weight of the engine with accessories is 250 lb (113 kg). The model produces around 500 shp (373 kW) for takeoff and can produce 380 shp (280 kW) in continuous use. Like its predecessor the Rolls-Royce Model 250 and all turbine engines (including the competing Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6), it will use jet fuel rather than avgas. It is also claimed to require less frequent maintenance than piston engines of similar power, albeit with the higher maintenance costs associated with turbine engines. A RR500TS turboshaft variant was also under development.
Development of the RR500 was suspended in 2012[2].
Variants
- RR500TP
- RR500TS
Specifications (RR500 proposed)
Data from Rolls-Royce [3]
General characteristics
- Type: Twin-spool turboprop
- Length: 43.1 inches (109 cm)
- Diameter: 23.4 inches (59 cm)
- Dry weight: 225 pounds (102 kg)
Components
- Compressor: Single-stage centrifugal
Performance
- Maximum power output: Take-off : 475 shaft horsepower (354 kW)
- Maximum continuous : 400 shaft horsepower (300 kW)
- Normal cruise : 350 shaft horsepower (260 kW)
- Overall pressure ratio: 7.5:1
- Fuel consumption: Take-off : 294.5 pounds (133.6 kg) per hour
- Maximum continuous : 259.6 pounds (117.8 kg) per hour
- Normal cruise : 236.95 pounds (107.48 kg) per hour
- Specific fuel consumption: Take-off : 0.620 pounds per horsepower (0.377 kg/kW) per hour
- Maximum continuous : 0.649 pounds per horsepower (0.395 kg/kW) per hour
- Normal cruise : 0.677 pounds per horsepower (0.412 kg/kW) per hour
- Power-to-weight ratio: 0.474 pounds per horsepower (0.288 kg/kW)
See also
- Rolls-Royce Model 250
- Rolls-Royce RR300
References
- Rolls-Royce expands small engine range RR500 turboprop for general aviation market Archived 10 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- Rolls-Royce to "pause" RR500 development, http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/2012-02-12/rolls-royce-pause-rr500-development
- Rolls-Royce RR500 factsheet Archived 27 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine
- Flying (magazine), Vol. 135 Issue 11, Nov. 2008, p. 32, "Rolls-Royce Launches Turboprop for Small Airplanes"