What engines power the massive Airbus A380?

Engine Alliance and Rolls-Royce continue to use technology insertions to improve the efficiency and durability of their respective A380-specific engine. Chris Kjelgaard looks at the detail

When Airbus originally looked into the A380 project, it planned to make use of existing engines, but it soon became clear that more powerful motors would be required. These were to have been advanced derivatives of engines already flying on the A330, but as the project moved from idea to development to launch, significant new advances in engine technology were demanded to deliver the 280,000lb (1,245kN) of thrust required to get the A380 airborne, while meeting the latest environmental standards.

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