Rolls-Royce (Booth X115) is ramping up production of its new Pearl 15 engine and the first sets of production-standard powerplants have been delivered to Bombardier for installation on the launch platforms, the Bombardier Global 5500 and 6500, the engine OEM announced on Monday at EBACE 2019. The Pearl 15, first in a new line of powerplants from the UK-based engine manufacturer, was designed and optimized in partnership with Bombardier to power both of the new Global models, which were unveiled at last year’s EBACE show. The two large-cabin, long-range jets share the same type certificate.

Manufactured at the Rolls-Royce site in Dahlewitz, Germany, Pearl 15s have already been fitted to the first Global 6500, which is now undergoing completion at the Bombardier Global Completion Center in Dorval, Quebec, Canada. “We are excited to have successfully taken this important step in our journey to develop and produce the first member of the Pearl engine family,” said Rolls-Royce director of business aviation Dr. Dirk Geisinger. “We are now looking forward to supporting Bombardier as they prepare the aircraft to enter service.” Global 5500/6500 flight testing is on track to support the jets’ certification and entry into service later this year.

The Pearl combines innovations derived from Rolls-Royce’s Advance2 technology demonstrator programs with proven features from the BR700 family powering more than half a dozen business jet types. The family has the same nacelle envelope of the BR710 but, with a maximum certified thrust of 15,250 pounds, is more powerful. It also betters specific fuel consumption up to 7 percent, lowers NO₂ emissions by 20 percent, and is two decibels cumulatively quieter, Rolls-Royce said.