Engines
Rolls-Royce: T56 Engine Enhancement Exceeds Specification
Shown is a U.S. Air Force C-130 during a flight test with the T56 Series 3.5 engine enhancement package. (Photo: Rolls-Royce)
Shown is a U.S. Air Force C-130 during a flight test with the T56 Series 3.5 engine enhancement package. (Photo: Rolls-Royce)

Rolls-Royce said the first T56 engine enhancement package it assembled and ground tested for the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's WP-3D Orion weather reconnaissance aircraft demonstrated a 13-percent reduction in fuel consumption, beating the required 7.9 percent. The manufacturer has also started discussions with the U.S. Air Force to introduce the “Series 3.5” engine enhancement on Air Force and Air National Guard C-130s.