Rolls-Royce chairman Sir Ralph Robins has invited French manufacturer Snecma to join the UK company's Trent 900 engine programme, which was launched earlier this year to power growth versions of the Boeing 747, and the Airbus A3XX.
"We would like to see more European co-operation on the Trent 900 and we are favourable to any opportunities that present themselves, either with Snecma or with other companies", said Robbins, in a speech to the Franco-British chamber of commerce in Paris in mid-November.
Snecma president Jean-Paul Bechat now finds his company being courted on both sides of the Atlantic, with the General Electric-Pratt & Whitney Engine Alliance also keen to sign up Snecma for its rival GP7000 project.
Source: Flight International
