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T56

The world’s number one large turboprop

Power for military transport and long-range maritime patrols

The T56 is a robust and reliable powerplant that provides wide operational experience in military and civil aviation.

More units sold

The T56 military turboprop and its commercial version, the 501-D are the leading large turboprop engines globally by number of units sold and have over 230 million operating hours.

The T56 is a robust, reliable turboprop engine operating in military and civil aircraft worldwide. The engine’s commercial version, the T56 501-D, is the world-leading large turboprop engine.

The T56 is a single shaft, modular design, turboprop engine. The gearbox has two stages of gear reduction, features a propeller brake and is connected to the power section by a torquemeter assembly.

70
Countries operate the T56
18,000+
Engines produced to date
230+
Accumulated operating hours (Million+)

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All programme updates

19 February 2014

We have completed assembly and ground testing of the first enhanced T56 engine for the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) WP-3D aircraft, demonstrating fuel use reduction over 13 per cent.

19 February 2014

We have completed assembly and ground testing of the first enhanced T56 engine for the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) WP-3D aircraft, demonstrating fuel use reduction over 13 per cent.

NOAA's "Hurricane Hunters" will be the first aircraft to fly our T56 engine enhancement, known as the Series 3.5. While C-130 flight tests and engine ground tests have shown significant improvement over requirements, the Series 3.5 package requirements call for a 7.9 per cent fuel reduction.

With the US Air Force (USAF), we have also started planning discussions for the introduction of the Series 3.5 into its fleet of C-130s. Initial funding of $15.7 million for the engine enhancement package was approved by Congress last month, launching the technology insertion for the USAF, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard fleets.

In addition to reduced fuel consumption, the enhancement package allows T56 engines to operate at significantly lower turbine temperatures, extending parts life and improving reliability by 22 percent.

01 December 2016

The first U.S. Air Force C-130H aircraft to be fully equipped with the Rolls-Royce T56 Series 3.5 engine upgrade has completed its first flight, demonstrating significant improvement in fuel efficiency, lower operating temperatures and improved high-altitude performance.

Preliminary flight data showed fuel efficiency improved by approximately 12 percent and turbine temperatures were more than 100 degrees Celsius lower. Reduced turbine temperatures increase parts life and lower operating costs significantly. The C-130H aircraft flown by the Wyoming Air National Guard (ANG) completed its first flight with four T56 Series 3.5 engines at the 153rd Airlift Wing at Cheyenne, WY, Regional Airport.

Phil Burkholder, Rolls-Royce, President Defense North America, said: “We congratulate the US Air Force and the Wyoming Air National Guard for achieving this significant milestone – first flight of a C-130H aircraft equipped with the Rolls-Royce T56 Series 3.5 engine upgrade. Rolls-Royce developed the upgrade to enhance mission capability – and by achieving fuel efficiency improvements and lower operating temperatures, the Series 3.5 upgrade delivers as promised.”

15 June 2015

The first aircraft to be fully equipped with the Rolls-Royce T56 Series 3.5 engine enhancement package has completed its first flight, demonstrating significantly improved fuel efficiency.

The WP-3D aircraft of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) completed its first flight with four Series 3.5 engines on June 3 at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, US.

The Series 3.5 engine enhancement specifications provide for 7.9 percent reduction in fuel use, although preliminary results from the NOAA flight demonstrated more than 12 percent improvement. The NOAA flight tests also showed significantly lower turbine temperatures, improved high-altitude performance and included much faster engine starts.

The enhancement package allows T56 engines to operate at greatly reduced temperatures, extending parts life and improving reliability by 22 percent. The Series 3.5 package can be installed on T56 engines on either P-3 or C-130 legacy aircraft.

Phil Burkholder, Rolls-Royce President - Defense North America, said, “The improved fuel economy and enhanced performance demonstrate the value from the Series 3.5 package – operators will benefit from lower operating costs and improved reliability.”

Leading the industry

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With proven technology, the T56 features:

  • A single shaft, modular design
  • Turboprop engine with a 14-stage axial flow compressor driven by a four-stage turbine unit
  • A gearbox with two stages of gear reduction, featuring a propeller brake and connected to the power section by a torquemeter assembly
  • Other engine modules are the can-annular type combustor and the accessory drive housing

The T56 has achieved the following:

  • Operation in nearly 70 countries
  • Production of over 18,000 engines to date
  • The status of leading large turboprop engine in the world on the basis of number of units sold (T56 501-D)
  • More than 200 million operating hours

T56 Series 3.5 Upgrade:

  • Proven Rolls-Royce technology and materials
  • Improved fuel efficiency, reduced maintenance costs, increased reliability and enhanced performance
  • Dramatic improvements, which require no changes to the aircraft or controls

Aftermarket Support and Services

Pioneering next-generation, digitally enabled solutions

We continue to be at the forefront of developing and providing comprehensive service packages for managing engines throughout their life-cycle.

Authorised MRO Network  

Full global access for repair, overhaul and service.

Authorised MRO Network

The Rolls-Royce MRO Support Network is the authorised global support network for operators of T56 engines, providing affordable, reliable support solutions.

The AMC network includes 10 approved, licensed maintenance centers and Aviall locations around the world, and its competitive structure means operators can find affordable and reliable service anywhere for Rolls-Royce T56 engines. Aviall Inc. (a Boeing company) is a key part of the maintenance network and is the global authorized distributor for Rolls-Royce T56 engines, parts, modules and tooling.

Access the latest AMC Directory here

Access the latest T56 MRO Network Map here

Services Portfolio  

Developing & providing service packages to enable mission success.

Services Portfolio

Rolls-Royce has always been at the forefront of developing and providing comprehensive services for managing engines throughout their life-cycle.

We are able to combine knowledge inherent to the designer, with the data generated from engines in operation and supply chain network to deliver services which create value for our customers.

The Services Portfolio offers access to many of the core capabilities Rolls-Royce has developed supporting customer fleets around the world. The portfolio encompasses a variety of capabilities offering service solutions to match every operational need. The service offerings range from Foundation Technical Support, covering technical assistance requirements through to Operational Data Analysis, enabling decision making informed by comprehensive data management solutions.

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MissionCare®  

Remove uncertainty of fleet availability by transferring risk & cost to us.

MissionCare®

MissionCare® provides a comprehensive support service combining the capabilities and expertise of Rolls-Royce:

  • Acting as original equipment manufacturer to maximise your engine availability
  • 24/7 technical support
  • Specialised fleet data analysis and local, regional & global support networks are utilised to provide unparalleled support services.

For a fixed cost per flying hour, MissionCare removes the uncertainties of fleet availability by transferring the risk and cost of engine management and reliability to Rolls-Royce

Find out more on the services portfolio

Engine Repair Management  

We manage, overhaul and repair your engine and line replaceable units (LRUs).

Engine Repair Management

Under an ERM support contract:

  • We manage your engine and line replaceable units (LRUs) overhaul and repair, acting as your single point of contact. Using our extensive overhaul and repair experience, we will coordinate the complete repair process. We ensure that all overhaul and repair activities are completed to Rolls-Royce quality standards, efficiently and cost effectively.
  • We coordinate shipping logistics to and from our maintenance facility, providing work scope, optimising configuration and reliability, whilst managing turn-time performance and maintenance facility quality.

Find out more on the services portfolio

Customer Training

Rolls-Royce offers several T56 customer training courses including:

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