RR XWB takes to skies

 XWB at SSC. Rolls-Royce photo

The Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine took to the skies for the first time, powering an Airbus A380 test aircraft in Toulouse, France. The aircraft flew with one of its four Trent 900 engines replaced by a Trent XWB. The Trent XWB will power the new Airbus A350 XWB. (Source: Rolls-Royce, 02/18/12, Aviation Week, 02/21/12) Gulf Coast note: The Trent XWB engine type has been tested at Stennis Space Center.