HC Deb 08 May 1990 vol 172 cc63-4W
Mr. David Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure that the United Kingdom aircraft industry is in a competitive position in respect of high speed propeller technology.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

I am pleased to announce that the Department has awared a grant of £3.146 million for a major project to research into the problems associated with the design and operation of civil aircraft powered with advanced high-speed propeller (or open rotor) propulsion systems.

In line with current Government policy the project is collaborative; British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Ltd. and Dowty Aerospace Ltd. are the lead companies, with the Aircraft Research Association as a major sub-contractor.

The overall objective of the project is to ensure that United Kingdom firms are ready to embody into new civil aircraft projects these radically different power plants in the event that they become a viable alternative to conventional turbojet engines. The considerably lower fuel consumption (around 20 per cent.-30 per cent. less) of the open rotor could, after allowing for higher initial cost and maintenance costs, save some 5 per cent. to 10 per cent. on aircraft direct operating costs, depending on movements in fuel costs. The reduced fuel consumption could also give environmental benefits from reduced exhaust emissions.

Most of the early work has been done in the United States of America, and has been largely concerned with power plants mounted on the rear fuselage. The present project will consider wing-mounted open rotors which are likely to be chosen for aircraft in the 80-to-100—seat category, a market in which the United Kingdom and Europe have been relatively successful.