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The Rolls Royce RB211 family is a family of high-bypass turbofan aircraft engines made by Rolls Royce plc capable of generating 37,400 to 60,600 pound (166 to 270 kN) thrust.
It has a three-shaft layout resulting in a shorter and more rigid engine as compared to other engines of similiar thrust ratings. The RB211 family is also
reknowned for its economy and legendary reliabilty. The family is divided in three distinct series
This is the first of the whole series which first saw service in 1972. It was specifically designed for Lockheed Tristar. Its thrust rating is 42,000
pound (169 kN). Being the pioneer three-shaft engine it underwent difficult gestation. However, it improved during service and matured into a reliable engine.
A development of the -22, it featured a very mature design. Its thrust rating is 50,000 to 60,600 pound (222 to 270 kN). It was first fitted into Boeing 747 in 1977. Its excellent service record led it to be fitted to the improved Lockheed Tristar in 1981.
An improved version, -524G rated at 58,000 pounds (258 kN) and -524H rated at 60,600 pounds (270 kN), featuring FADEC, was offered with Boeing 747-400 and Boeing 767. It is ETOPS 180-minutes rated for the 767. The -524G and H is the first to feature the wide-chord fan , which increases efficiency, reduces noise and gives added protection against foreign object damage. This was later adopted by GE and Pratt and Whitney for their engines.
Further improvements led to the -524G/H-T fitted to the 747-400 which is essentially remanufactured -524G and -524H fitted with the core turbomachinery of Rolls-Royce Trent, benefitting Trent's improved performance.
This is essentially a scaled down version of the -524. Its thrust range spans from 37,000 to 43,100 pound (165 to 192 kN). It powers Boeing 757 and is 180-minute ETOPS rated. The later series shares common features with the later series -524 such as wide-chord fan and FADEC.General
RB211-22 series
RB211-524 series
RB211-535 series
