British car and engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce lifted the lid on its shiny new factory for jet engines this week.
The Trent XWB engine will be used in Airbus’ A350 XWB aircraft, and it’s one of the quietest and fuel efficient jet engines ever produced.
Rolls-Royce invited company executives, German officials, journalists, and photographers to the plant just outside Berlin for the unveiling and a tour of the facility. Here’s a look at how the efficient engines take shape:
The first thing you notice about the Trent XWB engine: it’s big. Really big. Just two of these will power a 240 ton plane into the sky with 84,000 pounds of thrust each.
Foto: source Adam Berry/Getty Images
Specifically, they’ll be powering Airbus A350X WB (extra wide body), one of the French plane maker’s most in-demand models.
Foto: source Sean Gallup/Getty Images
Here’s what the engine looks like up close when installed under the wing.
Foto: source Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
Before it’s attached to any plane, though, the $20 million engines are sent through a litany of tests and inspections to ensure they’re absolutely perfect shape.
Foto: source Adam Berry/Getty Images
Parts arrive in massive containers full of even more smaller metal boxes that can be lifted with a forklift.
Foto: source Adam Berry/Getty Images
The engines are so big that it takes movable stairs (not unlike the ones you would use to board an aircraft on the tarmac) in order to see the entire 10 foot turbofan.
Foto: source Adam Berry/Getty Images
Dollies like this help workers and engineers easily move the eight ton engines through the assembly line.
Foto: source Adam Berry/Getty Images
They’re even bigger when turned on end. Here you can see the compressor and fuel lines that will be hidden once the engine is installed.
Foto: source Adam Berry/Getty Images
German Economy and Energy Minister Brigitte Zypries posed with Rolls-Royce production introduction manager Uwe Rudolf at the event.
Foto: source Adam Berry/Getty Images
It looks like all the politicians had a great time. Here she is again with Brandenburg’s prime minister Dieter Woidke.
Foto: source Adam Berry/Getty Images
Not only is it one of the most efficient engines ever produced, its also one of the quietest. Something to be thankful for as you try to nap in a cramped coach-class seat.
Foto: source Adam Berry/Getty Images
The engines entered service in 2015, and Airbus already has orders from Virgin Atlantic, Delta, British Airways for more planes. Look for the new engines on your next flight!
Foto: source Adam Berry/Getty Images