Rolls-Royce and US army agree £371m contract
ROLLS-Royce yesterday said it had won a $598m (£371m) contract to provide engines for the US military.
The 268 engines will be used in V-22 Osprey aircraft.
Rolls-Royce is the sole manufacturer of the engines for the V-22 and has a string of contracts with the US armed forces.
Patricia O’Connell, Rolls-Royce’s president of customer business for North America, said: “Rolls-Royce continues to be the world leader in tilt-rotor engines and this long-term contract reflects the confidence our customer has in our expertise and our technology.
“Throughout the length of this contract, we will strive to further improve performance and capability of this unique aircraft.”
Rolls-Royce said the V-22 aircraft can carry more troops, fly faster and has greater range than the helicopters it will replace. The engines allow the aircraft to take off and land like a helicopter, but with better performance.
The manufacturer said that 70 engines will be delivered in the first year of the contract for $151m.
A series of British engineers turned in positive trading results last week, helping to buoy the sector.
Rotork, which makes valve control systems for the oil, gas and water industries, said first-quarter orders rose 21 per cent, helped partly by growth in its gears business.
IMI reported higher first-quarter sales after a strong performance from its service arm, which deals with power generation.
Rolls-Royce provides engines for 500 airlines and 160 armed forces. It employs over 40,000 people in over 50 countries.