British engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce is currently in the process of testing new technology at its Derby site in order to protect jet engines from the damaging effects of desert dust and sand. Fine particles ingested during take-off can enter the hottest parts of an engine, corroding components, clogging internal passages, and forcing more frequent engine overhauls, especially for aircraft flying in the Middle East.

This issue does not affect flight safety, but it does hurt efficiency, fuel burn, and overall durability. The new text campaign undertaken by the manufacturer aims to understand exactly how dust degrades hardware and to validate improved designs so that engines can stay on the wing for far longer, reducing overall disruption and life-cycle costs that airlines might have

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