RJ500

The RJ500 was a 20000lbf civil turbofan which Rolls-Royce and the Japanese Aero Engines Corporation consortium hoped to develop for aircraft like the Boeing 737-300 and the McDonnell Douglas MD-80.

A single stage fan, driven by a three stage LP turbine, supercharged the 9 stage HP compressor, which was driven by 2 stage air-cooled HP turbine. The combustor was annular and the exhaust separate jets.

The HP compressor was based on a scale-up of the RB401 HP compressor, with a ninth stage added at the rear.

Fan diameter was restricted to 60in, because of the relatively short undercarriage of the 737. Even then, the engine nacelle required an oblate shape to clear the runway surface.

Although two prototype engines were built and ground tested, the project was cancelled in the early 80's because Boeing favoured the CFM56-3.