Why the UltraFan 30 is Boeing’s "Plan A"11 Mar 2026 18:40
For the first time in decades, Rolls-Royce is the "disruptor" in the narrow-body market.
The UltraFan 30 is being designed for the 30,000lb thrust class, which is exactly what a 200+ seat 737 replacement requires.
The technology edge that UltraFan 30 offers features a 90-inch fan and a Power Gearbox that can handle 20MW of power. This allows for a bypass ratio of 15:1 (the current 737 MAX is only about 9:1), which translates to a massive jump in fuel savings.
By working with Rolls-Royce, Boeing breaks its total dependency on GE/CFM, giving them more leverage in negotiations and a "backup" technology if the Open Fan design fails to meet noise, safety regulations or fuel savings.