For more than sixty years, Rolls-Royce has established itself as the world’s leading engine supplier in business aviation, powering many of the longest-range business jets in operation. Over 4,000 business aircraft equipped with Rolls-Royce engines are in service across the globe, enhancing business efficiency, productivity, and fostering economic growth. Rolls-Royce engines enable airframers to deliver an ideal blend of speed, range, size, efficiency, and reliability.

As jet propulsion emerged, Rolls-Royce continued to lead, and develop engines, making it one of the world’s leading suppliers for business jets engines. This legacy of innovation, reliability, and performance has also been embodied in the latest and most advanced family of business aviation engines of Rolls-Royce, the Pearl series. The Pearl engine family represents the culmination of Rolls-Royce’s expertise in jet propulsion, combining proven technologies from the acclaimed BR700 series with cutting-edge advancements from the Advance2 demonstrator programme. The Pearl series was designed to meet the demands of modern business jet operators, delivering more thrust, greater efficiency, lower emissions, and unmatched reliability.

“The Pearl engine family is part of the Rolls-Royce IntelligentEngine vision of a future where product and service become indistinguishable thanks to advancements in digital capability.”
—Lindsey Stuss Gillen, Vice President Sales & Marketing – Business Aviation, Rolls-Royce
(as told to SP’s Aviation in an interview published in issue 4 of 2025)

The Pearl engine family that comprises the Pearl 10X, Pearl 15, and Pearl 700, exemplifies this commitment to design and engineering excellence. Developed to power leading business aviation aircraft, including the Bombardier Global 5500 and 6500, Dassault Falcon 10X, and Gulfstream G700 and G800, these engines deliver the performance, efficiency, and innovation demanded by the modern business aviation sector.

PEARL 15: NEXT-GEN POWER FOR BOMBARDIER JETS

ROLLS-ROYCE PEARL 15 ENGINE IS ON TRACK FOR HYDROGEN TESTING, DEMONSTRATING ROLLS-ROYCE’S FORWARD-LOOKING APPROACH

The Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 engine stands as the first member of a new generation of business aviation propulsion systems, specifically designed to power Bombardier’s Global 5500 and 6500 aircraft. The Pearl 15 combines exceptional design with innovative technologies that enable these jets to fly farther, faster, cleaner, and quieter.

At its core, the Pearl 15 features an engine core developed from Rolls-Royce’s Advance2 technology demonstrator programmes. This includes a 10-stage high-pressure compressor with six titanium blisked stages, advanced materials, and a design that achieves a record-level overall pressure ratio of 43:1. The engine also has a bypass ratio of 4.8:1 and delivers thrust of up to 15,125 pounds at ISA +15 conditions, enabling the Global 5500 and 6500 to reach top speeds of Mach 0.90.

Efficiency gains are significant, with the Pearl 15 achieving a 7 per cent reduction in specific fuel consumption compared to previous engines. This efficiency is complemented by quieter operation and lower emissions, supporting Bombardier’s commitment to cleaner business aviation. Furthermore, the Pearl 15 is on track for hydrogen testing, demonstrating Rolls-Royce’s forward-looking approach to sustainable propulsion.

KEY FEATURES OF THE ROLLS-ROYCE PEARL 15

• Exclusive Power for Bombardier Global 5500 & 6500: Designed specifically for these ultra-long-range business jets, enabling them to fly farther, faster, cleaner, and quieter
• Advanced Engine Core: Features a new 10-stage highpressure compressor with six titanium blisked stages, based on Advance2 demonstrator technology
• High Performance: Delivers up to 15,125 lbf thrust (ISA +15), with an overall pressure ratio of 43:1 and bypass ratio of 4.8:1
• Efficiency: Achieves a 7 per cent reduction in specific fuel consumption over previous generation engines
• Ultra-Low Emissions Combustor: Incorporates a newly designed tiled combustion chamber and advanced cooling technology for cleaner operation
• Intelligent Health Monitoring: Equipped with a next-generation Engine Vibration Health Monitoring System, utilising digital analytics for predictive maintenance
• Materials and Durability: Uses advanced nickel alloys, ceramic coatings, and high-temperature materials for enhanced efficiency and longevity

The Pearl 15 embodies Rolls-Royce’s IntelligentEngine vision, incorporating the world’s most advanced engine health monitoring system. This system harnesses digital capabilities, including big data and cloud-based analytics, to make intelligent decisions that improve engine availability and reliability. The next-generation Engine Vibration Health Monitoring System represents a step change in predictive maintenance and operational efficiency.

Since its first run, the Pearl 15 has undergone rigorous testing and development. It received certification in 2018 and entered service shortly thereafter, powering Bombardier’s Global 5500 and 6500 jets. By August 2021, Rolls-Royce had delivered its 100th Pearl 15 engine, marking a milestone in the programme’s success.

PEARL 700: PUSHING BOUNDARIES WITH GULFSTREAM

PEARL 700 EXEMPLIFIES ROLLS-ROYCE’S COMMITMENT TO DELIVERING POWER, EFFICIENCY, AND RELIABILITY IN BUSINESS AVIATION PROPULSION

The Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 is developed exclusively for the Gulfstream G700 and G800 aircraft. The Pearl 700 combines maximum efficiency and advanced technology to deliver outstanding performance for these ultra-long-range business jets. At its core, the Pearl 700 features the Advance2 engine core, the most efficient core available across the business aviation sector paired with a brand-new lowpressure system. This combination results in an 8 per cent increase in takeoff thrust, delivering 18,250 pounds of thrust compared to the BR725 engine. The engine also offers a 12 per cent better thrust-to-weight ratio and a 5 per cent improvement in specific fuel consumption, all while maintaining class-leading low noise and emissions performance. This powerful propulsion enables Gulfstream’s G700 and G800 to fly ultra-long-range missions at speeds close to the speed of sound.

The Pearl 700’s design integrates trusted BR700 architecture with innovative technologies from Rolls-Royce’s Advance2 portfolio. It features a blisked fan with 24 blades, reducing weight and drag to enhance efficiency. The 10-stage lightweight high-pressure compressor incorporates six titanium blisks and achieves a record 24:1 pressure ratio. The engine’s ultra-low emissions combustor employs greener technology and lowers noise emissions. Its two-stage high-pressure turbine uses a shroudless blade design with enhanced aerodynamics and blade cooling, while the enhanced four-stage lowpressure turbine enables higher fan power for increased thrust.

Additional design highlights include state-of-the-art 3D airfoil geometry, 360° low-weight cast stators, and a new ultra slimline nacelle that is aerodynamically optimised. The nacelle also features a target door thrust reverser and maximised acoustic treatment to minimise noise, alongside optimised packaging to facilitate integration.

KEY FEATURES OF THE ROLLS-ROYCE PEARL 700

• Exclusive for Gulfstream G700 & G800: Developed specifically to power Gulfstream’s latest ultra-long-range business jets
• Advance2 Engine Core: The most efficient core in business aviation, paired with a new low-pressure system for maximum performance
• Thrust: 18,250 lbf takeoff thrust—an 8 per cent increase over the BR725 engine
• Efficiency: 5 per cent improvement in specific fuel consumption and a 12 per cent better thrust-to-weight ratio
• Low Noise & Emissions: Ultra-low emissions combustor and maximised acoustic treatment for the lowest possible noise levels
• Innovative Design: Blisked fan with 24 blades, 10-stage high-pressure compressor with six titanium blisks, 24:1 pressure ratio, and aerodynamically optimised slim-line nacelle

The Pearl 700 has been tested and certified, receiving European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) type certification in September 2022 and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification in 2023. The engine has passed all critical safety and durability tests, including bird-strike, cross-wind, ice, hail, water ingestion, and fan blade containment.

As the exclusive engine for Gulfstream’s G700 and G800, the Pearl 700 exemplifies Rolls-Royce’s commitment to delivering power, efficiency, and reliability in business aviation propulsion, enabling these aircraft to achieve new milestones in speed, range, and environmental performance.

PEARL 10X: RECORD THRUST FOR DASSAULT’S FLAGSHIP

THE ABILITY OF PEARL 10X TO OPERATE ON 100 PER CENT SAF FURTHER POSITIONS IT AS A FORWARD- LOOKING SOLUTION FOR OPERATORS

Rolls-Royce’s Pearl 10X engine stands at the forefront of business aviation propulsion, purpose-built to power Dassault’s new flagship, the Falcon 10X. As the third and most powerful member of the Pearl engine family, the Pearl 10X represents a major leap in both performance and efficiency, setting new benchmarks for the industry.

At its core, the Pearl 10X features the Advance2 engine core, recognised as the most efficient core available in the business aviation sector. This advanced core, paired with a high-performance low-pressure system, enables the Pearl 10X to deliver more than 18,000 pounds of thrust, making it the most powerful business aviation engine ever produced by Rolls-Royce. This significant thrust output not only ensures the Falcon 10X’s ultra-longrange capabilities but also supports near-supersonic cruise speeds and premium airport accessibility.

Efficiency is a defining characteristic of the Pearl 10X. The engine achieves a 5 per cent reduction in specific fuel consumption compared to the previous generation of Rolls-Royce business aviation engines, a gain that translates directly into lower operating costs and reduced emissions. A key innovation contributing to this efficiency is the use of 3D-printed combustor tiles, manufactured using Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM), a first for any Rolls-Royce production engine. This technology allows for highly complex cooling passages and geometry, resulting in an ultralow emissions combustor that is fully compatible with 100 per cent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

KEY FEATURES OF THE ROLLS-ROYCE PEARL 10X

• Advance2 Engine Core: The most efficient core in business aviation, delivering superior fuel efficiency and performance.
• >18,000 lbf Thrust: The highest thrust output in the Pearl engine family, enabling ultra-long-range and near-supersonic flight.
• 5 per cent SFC Reduction: Achieves a 5 per cent reduction in specific fuel consumption (SFC) compared to previous Rolls-Royce business aviation engines.
• 100 per cent SAF Compatibility: Fully tested and capable of operating on 100 per cent SAF, supporting industry sustainability goals.
• 3D-Printed Combustor Tiles: First Rolls-Royce engine to use Additive Layer Manufacturing for combustor tiles, improving cooling, durability, and emissions.
• Enhanced Accessory Gearbox: Allows for higher additional power extraction to support advanced onboard systems.
• Ultra-Low Emissions: Features a next-generation combustor designed for minimal environmental impact.
• CorporateCare Enhanced Support: Backed by Rolls-Royce’s global maintenance and support programme for maximum uptime and reliability.

The Pearl 10X’s development programme has been both comprehensive and rigorous. The engine has already accumulated more than 2,300 hours of testing, both on the Advance2 demonstrator and in the Pearl 10X configuration. More recently, the Pearl 10X accrued 3400 test hours in the programme. Ground tests have validated the engine’s new ALM combustor and accessory gearbox, which enables higher additional power extraction to support advanced onboard systems. The flight test campaign, conducted on Rolls-Royce’s dedicated Boeing 747 flying testbed based in Tucson, Arizona, is a critical phase in the certification process. This campaign includes engine performance and handling checks at a range of speeds and altitudes, inflight relight procedures, nacelle anti-icing tests, and fan vibration assessments.

The Pearl 10X is also the first Rolls-Royce engine ever selected to power a Dassault business jet, marking a significant milestone for both companies. Dassault’s choice of the Pearl 10X for its Falcon 10X underscores the engine’s market-leading combination of power, efficiency, and environmental performance. The engine’s ability to operate on 100 per cent SAF further positions it as a forward-looking solution for operators committed to sustainability.

The Rolls-Royce Pearl engine series stands as a beacon of what is possible when heritage, innovation, and vision converge. For operators and passengers alike, Pearl-powered business jets offer not only unmatched performance and comfort, but also the assurance of flying with the world’s most advanced and environmentally responsible engines. As the demands of global business travel continue to evolve, the Pearl family ensures that Rolls-Royce remains synonymous with excellence— today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.