Rolls-Royce

For over a century, the Rolls-Royce name has been synonymous with integrity, reliability and innovation.  Rolls-Royce Ltd was formed in 1906 following the first meeting of Rolls and Royce in 1904.  Ninety-five years ago, two Rolls-Royce Eagle engines powered the Vickers Vimy across the Atlantic.  Since the Rolls-Royce has achieved numerous first flights and celebrated many engine anniversaries.  The BR710 for example, made possible a whole new class of aircraft, the ultra-long-range business jets.  This century will see even more Rolls-Royce firsts as new airliners and business jests from the world’s leading manufacturers take to the skies powered by clean, quiet and efficient engines from Rolls-Royce.

R-R claims a 45% share of the new-generation widebody engines market, covered by the Airbus A350 XWB and Boeing 787 and 777, the A350 being the subject of an agreement signed at the 2006 Farnborough air show under which the Trent XWB, covering all currently planned versions of the aircraft, would be developed. The XWB will be based largely on the Trent 1000, including the contra-rotating high-pressure system introduced on the Trent 900 powering the Airbus A380, which brings higher efficiency and has fewer parts.

The Trent 1000 is the launch engine for the 787 and has been selected by Icelandair, All Nippon Airways, Air New Zealand, Air China and Monarch Airlines. Monarch Engineering also signed a $40 million contract covering a five-year service agreement for complete overhaul of RB211-535s and IAE V2500 engines, respectively powering its Boeing 757s and Airbus A320s.

Other milestones include the $500 million signature by fast-growing Kingfisher Airlines for Trent 500s to power its five Airbus A340-500s, along with a long-term TotalCare agreement. UPS also went for a TotalCare deal for the RB211-535s engines powering its 757s. In November, Singapore Airlines and China Southern Airlines added to the Trent 700 orderbook with orders for engines to power 19 and 10 Airbus A330s respectively. Singapore Airlines now operates all four initial versions of the Trent family.

On the regional engines side, R-R booked a major order from Hainan Airlines Group (the fourth-largest airline in China) for 9,000lb-thrust AE3007 turbofans to power the carrier's 50 Embraer ERJ-145 regional jets. The deal included a TotalCare package and was worth $500 million. To date, over 900 AE3007-powered Embraer regional jets have been delivered, accumulating more than 15 million engine hours. R-R claims the AE3007 powers 40% of regional jet airliners.

Turboprops for civil aircraft are built in the USA, including the 4,160-6,100shp AE2100 powering the Saab 2000. In addition, the company manufactures the 420-715shp Model 250 turboprop, more than 1,200 of which have been produced to date.

Thanks to its acquisition of Allison in 1994, Rolls-Royce's turboshaft portfolio now spans 420-6,000shp, with more than 17,000 engines in service worldwide. The turboshaft version of the Model 250 accounts for by far the largest number, more than 28,000 having been delivered for civil and military applications. The latest full-authority digitally controlled Model 250 Series IV turboshaft family (Model 250-C30/C40/C47) spans 650-715shp and powers the Bell 407/430/206L and MDH MD530/600N helicopters.