Rolls-Royce RB211
| RB211 | |
|---|---|
| RB211 at the Technik Museum Speyer with no front cowls | |
| Type | Turbofan |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | Rolls-Royce |
| First run | 1969 |
| Major applications | |
| Manufactured | 1969–2000s |
| Developed from | Rolls-Royce Spey |
| Developed into | Rolls-Royce Trent |
The Rolls-Royce RB211 is a British family of high-bypass turbofan engines made by Rolls-Royce. The engines are capable of generating 41,030 to 59,450 lbf (182.5 to 264.4 kN) of thrust. The RB211 engine was the first production three-spool engine.
Originally developed for the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, it entered service in 1972 and was the exclusive engine to power the L-1011. Mismanagement of the initial development and consequent cost issues led to the company assets being transferred to a new government-owned company, Rolls-Royce (1971) Ltd., to save the workforce and the engine businesses important to the UK and many other aerospace and aircraft operating companies.
In the early 1970s, the engine was reckoned by the company to be capable of at least 50 years of continuous development. The RB.211 was renamed, in 1989, to become the basis of the Rolls-Royce Trent family of engines when the RB211-524L was renamed to the Trent.