The control and monitoring system for the Adour 900

Abstract

Looks at an aircraft engine manufacturer’s use of an electronic system to enhance an existing product. During the early 1990s Rolls‐Royce studied the changing military market and compared its range of engines with potential business opportunities. The trainer/light combat powerplant was one area where there was potential to develop its position. As a result of the continuing success of the BAe Hawk and Boeing Goshawk aircraft and the expectation of new sales well into the next century, the decision was taken to launch a new version of the Adour engine. Thus in 1996 Rolls‐Royce launched the Adour 900, based on the current, well‐proven Mark 871, but offering thrust growth, improved life cycle costs and enhanced functionality. Central to the concept of the Adour 900 is a new Full Authority Digital Engine Controller with integrated Engine Health Monitoring. Examines the features of the FADEC and EHM System, showing how they have been tailored to meet the needs of a modern trainer aircraft without sacrificing retrofit capability. Attention is also given to the development process which had to ensure the demanding design targets were met within the cost and timescale constraints.