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13 mars 2015 5 13 /03 /mars /2015 08:50
UK Submarine Industry to Benefit from GBP285M Investment in Successor Programme

 

Mar 11, 2015 ASDNews Source : Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)

 

    The Uk's Submarine Industry Will Benefit from GBP285 M of Investment to Continue Design Work for the Royal Navy's Next Generation of Nuclear Deterrent Submarines.

 

The release of funding for the design work is within the existing Successor programme’s £3.3 billion Assessment Phase. The funding forms part of the MoD’s commitment to spending £163 billion on equipment and equipment support over the next 10 years to keep Britain safe. That includes new strike fighters; more surveillance aircraft; hunter killer submarines; two aircraft carriers; and the most advanced armoured vehicles.

 

The Successor programme currently employs around 2,200 people in the UK, working for BAE Systems, Babcock and Rolls-Royce. For BAE Systems alone, the funding will sustain over 1,400 jobs on a programme that has already engaged with more than 240 suppliers.

 

The work is largely based at the home of the UK’s submarine manufacturing industry in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria but also across the UK including sites in Raynesway in Derby and Bristol.

 

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:

''The UK has been committed to a continuous at-sea deterrent for more than 45 years. This is because it is the responsibility of the British Government to protect its citizens and provide this vital line of defence. It is therefore crucial that we continue to invest in the Successor programme to be ready for a final decision on renewal next year.''

''It is thanks to our long-term economic plan that we are able to invest in this latest wave of design funding, which will help to secure the jobs of hundreds of people working across the MOD’s three main industrial partners working on the Successor programme. This underlines how important this work is to the British economy as well as the future security of the UK.''

 

As a result of today’s announcement, BAE Systems will proceed with an additional £257 million worth of design work, with a further £22 million at Babcock and £6 million at Rolls-Royce.

 

The Successor submarine is designed to be one of the most stealthy submarines in the world. It will also be the largest, safest and most technically advanced submarine ever built in the UK.

 

Under current plans, four Vanguard submarines – which currently maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent - will be replaced from 2028.

 

Tony Johns, the Managing Director at BAE Systems’ Submarines, said:

''Designing a new, nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine is one of the most challenging engineering projects in the world today. The Successor programme is the largest and most complex project we have ever faced. This funding will now allow us to mature the design over the next 12 months to enable us to start construction in 2016.''

 

Chief of Materiel (Fleet) Vice Admiral Simon Lister said:

''Today’s announcement on the third phase of design funding is another step forward in the programme to deliver the Successor submarine.''

''Over the next year, work on the design of the submarine will draw on cutting edge capabilities in innovation, design and engineering available in the UK to ensure we are able to meet the future defence needs of the UK.''

 

All Royal Navy submarines will be based at Faslane by 2020, including the Astute and Trafalgar class attack submarines.

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9 mars 2015 1 09 /03 /mars /2015 19:50
Rolls Hones Pitch for Italian Ships' Engines

Rolls-Royce's MT30 engine powers the aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth, above, and Type 26 frigate of the British Royal Navy and the US Navy's Freedom-class littoral combat ship and DDG-1000.(Photo: Royal Navy)

 

March 2, 2015 By Tom Kington – Defense News

 

ROME — UK-based Rolls-Royce has confirmed it will compete to supply propulsion for Italy's new €5.4 billion (US $6.13 billion) naval shipbuilding program, and has opened the bidding by promising to beat US rival General Electric on life-cycle costs.

 

In a briefing in Rome, David Kemp, Rolls-Royce vice president for naval sales, said the company was committed to winning contracts on the program, which he called "arguably the most important naval program in the world today."

 

As a large number of vessels reach obsolescence, the Italian Navy has secured the funding to build a new logistics ship, a landing helicopter dock (LHD) and at least six multifunctional ships, known by their Italian acronym PPA, which have been designed in-house by the Navy to handle civil and naval missions.

 

GE has offered its LM2500, or a variant thereof, for the PPA vessels, and managers have said they will seek to offer synergies since Italy's FREMM frigates and other vessels use the engine. Choosing GE, the managers have said, will benefit maintenance centers the firm already operates in Italy.

 

Taking a different approach, Rolls-Royce argues that if Italy selects its MT30, it will need to think a lot less about maintenance.

 

"The MT30 will need no major overhaul in 30 years," said Rolls-Royce's Italy CEO , Giuseppe Ciongoli. "I don't think anyone else has this capability. GE has facilities and has to defend jobs. We want to introduce a new concept which will diminish the need for maintenance for the benefit of the Navy."

 

Ciongoli said Rolls would look to offer jobs to Italy on the production of "packaging" for the engines — meaning the connections linking them to the ship. He said Rolls-Royce was forging a partnership with an Italian company to work on packaging for Italian vessels as well as for the British Navy Type 26 frigates that use the MT30.

 

Rolls will also offer MTU 8000 diesels to power the PPAs at lower speeds. MTU, which Rolls-Royce purchased in 2014, turns over €73 million a year through its activity in Italy.

 

The firm will offer its mission bay handling system for the PPAs, as used on the Type 26 vessels, to assist in the moving of the ship's containers and ribs. For the logistic ship it will offer a new refueling system, funded in development by the UK Ministry of Defence, which does away with hydraulic fluids, relying on electric power.

 

The MT30 — which is used by the US Navy's Freedom-class littoral combat ships, the US DDG-1000s, the new UK carriers and Type 26 frigates — is rated up to 40 MW at 38 degrees Celsius, which would qualify it for use on the Italian LHD as well as the PPAs, said Ciongoli.

 

GE is set to offer its LM6000 for the LHD.

 

"We are the only supplier that can offer the same solution for the PPA and LHD," Ciongoli said.

 

If the MT30 offered power in abundance on the PPAs, it would "allow the ship to grow," he said.

 

Ciongoli said things had changed since Rolls-Royce was beaten in a close race by GE to supply propulsion to the Italo-French FREMM frigates a decade ago.

 

"Maybe our weak point was that the MT30 was not in service — it was certified but not operational. We were also less present in Italy. Now we order products worth £300 million a year from Italy and have a turnover of €140 million here," he said.

 

While the Italian program may be the biggest around right now, the number of PPA vessels that will be purchased is still unclear. Members of parliament have talked of the number rising from six to 10, but a naval source said it was likely to stay closer to six.

 

The reason for the uncertainty is a switch in the way the program is to be funded. Originally, the €5.4 billion funding package was to be released over a number of years and be used to pay back bank loans worth €3.829 billion obtained up front to build the vessels, as well as just under €1.6 billion to cover the interest on the loans.

 

That changed when parliament decided the funds were available now and loans were unnecessary, meaning the €1.6 billion in interest was suddenly freed up to buy more ships.

 

But a naval source said that if the money became available, planners were now thinking more about upgrades and stretching logistic support deals to 10 years on existing ships, albeit adding one option for an extra PPA.

 

Planners originally thought of ordering five "light"-version PPAs and one full combat version. If more funds were available, the source said, the light versions would all get 76mm cannons to accompany their 127mm cannons, just like the full combat version, and some would get a SAAM extended self-defense missile defense system like the full combat version.

 

The light versions would still lack the full undersea warfare and electronic warfare suites offered by the full combat vessel, but thanks to the modular approach used in the design, all light-version ships could easily be upgraded to full combat version if required, the source said.

 

All plans for upgrades are still conditional on ministerial funding decrees that have yet to be signed. "For this reason, contracts have not yet been signed," he added.

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5 mars 2015 4 05 /03 /mars /2015 08:20
photo Rolls-Royce

photo Rolls-Royce

 

3 Mar 2015 By: Stephen Trimble - FG

 

Washington DC - Rolls-Royce has opened the first repair and overhaul facility for the Lockheed Martin F-35B's LiftFan system in Indiana, as it consolidates assembly of major components away from the UK.

The $10 million LiftWorks repair facility in Plainfield will serve as an interim logistics hub for F-35Bs operated by the US Marine Corps and the UK. The site could eventually be augmented or replaced by the US government depot system or separate repair and overhaul facilities in the UK or Italy, should either of those governments decide to invest in that capability, says Tom Hartmann, senior vice-president of R-R.

 

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21 septembre 2014 7 21 /09 /septembre /2014 16:20
V-22 Flight Tests Validate 'Hot and High' Capability for Rolls-Royce AE 1107C Engines

 

Sep 18, 2014 ASDNews Source : Rolls Royce

 

Flight tests have validated a new engine upgrade for Rolls-Royce AE 1107C engines powering V-22 aircraft, maximizing "hot and high" capability up to 6,000 feet of altitude and 95°F.

The enhanced capability is part of a series of upgrades that will boost engine power 17 percent for the aircraft, as Rolls-Royce continues to add innovations to the proven AE 1107C engine. The flight tests were conducted in a Bell Boeing V-22 test aircraft, and completed this summer in the western United States.

 

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16 juillet 2014 3 16 /07 /juillet /2014 17:51
nEuron (Dassault) – Taranis (BAE System)

nEuron (Dassault) – Taranis (BAE System)

 

July 16, 2014 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: joint release vie Snecma; issued July 15, 2014)

 

FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom --- Snecma (Safran) and Rolls-Royce have welcomed the signature by the British and French Governments of a new Programme Arrangement which allows them to continue design work on engines for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), an unmanned combat air vehicle.

 

With the current two-year Demonstration Programme Preparation Phase to be completed in the coming months, the new agreement signed by the two governments will guide discussions on an upcoming contract for the Feasibility Phase. The aim of this new phase is to start more in-depth design studies, backed by increased funding.

 

The governments will provide £120 million to the six manufacturers teaming up on this project: Dassault Aviation, BAE Systems, Thales, Selex ES, Snecma and Rolls-Royce. The power systems companies are participating through their 50:50 joint venture, Rolls-Royce Snecma Ltd., established in 2001. Negotiations for the second phase should culminate in a contract notification by the two governments in the last quarter of 2014.

 

Since the launch of initial studies in September 2012, Snecma and Rolls-Royce have successfully combined their respective technological expertise and agreed workshare arrangements to satisfy challenging technical requirements of the propulsion and integrated power system.

 

Studies to date have focused on the development of the enabling propulsion technologies for the FCAS demonstrator, and the generation of electrical power for the aircraft's systems and sensors. The feasibility phase will enable both companies to expand their design studies based on new propulsion system concepts and technologies for at the operational aircraft.

 

Didier Desnoyer, Executive Vice President, Military Engines at Snecma, said: “The signature of this Programme Arrangement underscores our excellent relations with the project partners, and especially Rolls-Royce through our joint venture. Our technical teamwork has proceeded very smoothly over the last two years, and we are very pleased to be continuing our joint work on these extremely promising technologies. Our people are totally focused on achieving the optimum technical and industrial tradeoffs that will allow us to meet the ambitious goals of the French and British governments.”

 

Bob Stoddart, Rolls-Royce President, Customer Business – Defence, added: “Together Rolls-Royce and Snecma can bring both the technical expertise needed to develop this leading edge propulsion system capability and the experience of partnership that will enable its delivery on-time and on-budget. Today’s announcement further underlines the confidence that the Governments of the UK and France have in our ability to achieve this.”

 

Snecma designs, builds and sells propulsion systems for air and space, including a wide range of commercial engines that are powerful, reliable, economical and environmentally-friendly, led by the global best-seller CFM56 and the new-generation LEAP. The company also makes world-class military aircraft engines, as well as rocket propulsion systems and equipment for satellites and launch vehicles.

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11 avril 2014 5 11 /04 /avril /2014 16:20
Rolls-Royce inspecting an Adour engine from a US Navy T-45 trainer aircraft.

Rolls-Royce inspecting an Adour engine from a US Navy T-45 trainer aircraft.

 

 

10 April 2014 naval-technology.com

 

Rolls-Royce has received a contractor logistics support (CLS) contract from the US Department of Defense (DoD) to provide continued support for the F405 (Adour) engines, which power the US Navy's T-45 training aircraft.

 

Under the $100m follow-on, one-year agreement, Rolls-Royce will provide depot-level maintenance and related logistics support for approximately 223 in-service T-45 F405-RR-401 Adour engines.

 

Scheduled to be completed in March 2015, work will be carried out at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Meridian, Mississippi, NAS Kingsville, Texas, NAS Pensacola, Florida, and NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, US.

 

Rolls-Royce defence services president Paul Craig said: "The Adour is an industry leader in low-risk, affordable engine performance for military-trainer aircraft, and has amassed more than 8.6 million flight hours across multiple global fleets."

 

In addition to powering the T-45 Goshawk and other military aircraft, the engine will be used on the Hawk AJTS, which is a contender for the US Air Force T-X trainer programme.

 

The Boeing and BAE Systems-built T-45A/C Goshawk two-seat advanced jet trainer features a single pylon under each wing to carry bomb racks, rocket pods or auxiliary fuel tanks.

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8 mars 2014 6 08 /03 /mars /2014 12:35
La corruption entrave la modernisation de l’armée indienne

 

07.03.2014 Sergueï Tomine – La Voix de la Russie

 

La corruption, un des thèmes principaux de la campagne électorale en cours en Inde, est tout particulièrement visible dans le secteur militaro-industriel. Le marché de l’armement indien est l’un des plus prometteurs du monde. En 2013, le budget de la Défense du pays a atteint 40 milliards de dollars, selon certaines estimations. Et bien sûr là où il y a beaucoup d’argent, les possibilités sont nombreuses de gagner gros.

 

Cette tendance apparaît clairement avec le scandale qui a touché le britannique Rolls-Royce. Cette société mondialement connue est soupçonnée d’avoir versé des pots-de-vin aux employés de Hindustan Aeronautics Limited lors de la conclusion d’un contrat estimé à 1,2 milliards de dollars portant sur l’achat de moteurs d’avions par l’Inde. Des sources du Bureau central des enquêtes (CBI) estiment que le montant des dessous-de-table versés pourrait atteindre 80 millions de dollars.

 

L’affaire Rolls-Royce s’ajoute à la liste déjà longue des scandales qui ébranlent l’Inde et impliquent des fabricants d’armes et d’équipement militaires occidentaux renommés. Grâce à la corruption, la société, en contournant les règles de concurrence loyale, s’est vu ouvrir le « canal vert » du marché indien des armes. En janvier 2014, le ministère de la Défense indien a confirmé l’annulation d’un contrat de 750 millions de dollars portant sur pour l’achat de 12 hélicoptères de transport VIP produits par la filiale du constructeur italien Finmeccanica, AgustaWestland. Le scandale a éclaté en Inde après qu’un mandat d’arrêt a été émis en Italie contre le président de Finmeccanica, Giuseppe Orsi, accusé d’avoir versé des pots-de-vin à des fonctionnaires indiens lors de la conclusion du contrat.

 

Les perquisitions conduites chez l’ancien commandant de l’Armée de l’air,Shashindra PalTyagi, et chez douze autres anciens hauts fonctionnaires et militaires, confirment que la corruption concerne les plus hauts échelons de la Défense indienne. En mars 2013, des perquisitions ont été menées dans les bureaux de quatre entreprises du complexe militaro-industriel indien, dans le cadre de l’enquête sur les machinations impliquant l’entreprise Finmeccanica. Suite à ces perquisitions, les suspects ont été officiellement inculpés.

 

Une situation paradoxale se fait jour : alors que la Défense indienne a dépensé des sommes astronomiques, les militaires se plaignent de la mauvaise qualité de leurs équipements. Il y a deux ans, les médias indiens avaient publié une lettre scandaleuse du commandant de l’Armée de terre, le général Singh,adressée au Premier ministre, Manmohan Singh, qui avait eu l’effet d’une bombe. La lettre indiquait que bien que l’Inde était devenue le premier pays importateur d’armes au monde, l’équipement des militaires était dans un état catastrophique. Cela concernait en premier lieu les forces blindées et la défense aérienne.

 

Parallèlement, ce même général Singh avait fait, au journal The Hindu, une autre déclaration sensationnelle en reconnaissant qu’un pot-de-vin de 3 millions de dollars lui avait été offert en échange de son approbation de l’achat de camions du constructeur tchèque Tatra. Cette société appartient à l’homme d’affaires indien Ravi Rishi.

 

Après les déclarations du général Singh, le ministère de la Défense a annoncé qu’il déclarait la guerre à la corruption touchant les contrats d’armement. Deux sociétés indiennes et quatre sociétés étrangères ont été placées sur une « liste noire » et interdites de travailler sur le marché indien pendant dix ans. « Si nous constatons que les choses ne se déroulent pas bien avec un contrat ou un autre, nous l’annulerons quel que soit son stade de développement », avait alors mis en garde le ministre de la Défense, A. K. Antony.

 

Néanmoins, l’affaire Rolls-Royce indique que la corruption à grande échelle dans le secteur militaro-industriel n’est pas facile à stopper. Et ce notamment parce que les racines de la corruption sont intactes. Ces nombreux scandales mettent en question le mécanisme d’appel d’offres utilisé par l’Inde pour les transactions dans le domaine technico-militaire. L’opacité et la corruption touchant les contrats d’armement sont de plus en plus visibles.

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5 mars 2014 3 05 /03 /mars /2014 12:50
Inde: enquête sur un contrat avec Rolls-Royce

 

04/03/2014 Par Lefigaro.fr (AFP)

 

Le ministère indien de la Défense a demandé l'ouverture d'une enquête sur l'achat de moteurs d'avions de combat auprès du motoriste britannique Rolls-Royce dans le cadre d'un contrat estimé à 1,6 milliard de dollars US.

 

Le Bureau central des enquêtes (CBI) va enquêter sur des soupçons de pots-de-vin pour la fourniture de moteurs à l'entreprise publique indienne Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) entre 2007 et 2011, a précisé un responsable du ministère. "Il y a eu un rapport interne (conduit par HAL) qui laisse deviner des trous dans le contrat. Le CBI se penche sur le dossier", a ajouté ce responsable sous couvert d'anonymat.

 

Ces moteurs étaient destinés à des avions de combat développés par HAL et qui servaient d'appareils de formation aux forces aériennes et maritimes indiennes. Un porte-parole de Rolls-Royce a indiqué que le groupe allait "coopérer pleinement" avec les autorités indiennes, a rapporté l'agence de presse du pays, Press Trust of India (PTI).

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18 février 2014 2 18 /02 /février /2014 17:20
Rolls-Royce Builds on C-130 Engine Business

Roaring Business: A US airman inspects the turboprop engines on a C-130H transport. Rolls-Royce believes its Series 3.5 engine enhancement could expand the life of the aging C-130H to 2040. (US Air Force)

 

Feb. 17, 2014 - By AARON MEHTA – Defense news

 

WASHINGTON — With few new-engine opportunities available in the US, Rolls-Royce is focusing on maintaining and improving its C-130 engine base through the rest of the decade.

 

The company took a major step in that direction last week, when it announced a decadelong agreement with Lockheed Martin, the producer of the popular cargo plane, to deliver 588 engines for the C-130J Super Hercules.

 

The nearly $1 billion agreement covers procurement of new AE 2100 turboprop engines through 2018 for all customers, including the US Air Force.

 

Each Super Hercules requires four AE 2100 engines, so the 588 purchased could represent up to 147 new planes built during this time period. However, that number could be lower, as contracts often include spare engines. The purchase is roughly split in half between US planes and international customers.

 

The purchase is part of a larger agreement that secures Rolls-Royce and the AE 2100 as the engine of choice for the C-130J through 2025.

 

“This agreement is a very important step in providing our customers the most affordable airlifter in the world,” George Shultz, Lockheed’s vice president and general manager for C-130 programs, said in a company statement.

 

Tom Hartmann, Rolls’ senior vice president for customer business, said the British-based company hopes for another engine block purchase after the conclusion of this order to cover the remaining years of the agreement.

 

The deal ensures Rolls will dominate the engine field for the C-130J, which is expected to remain popular around the globe over the next decade. Lockheed, in turn, locks in low engine prices.

 

The US National Defense Authorization Act of 2014, signed into law by President Barack Obama in December, contained language authorizing a multiyear buy of C-130J aircraft for the Air Force; funding for that group was included in the appropriations bill passed last month. This contract would cover the 78 planes included in that multiyear agreement.

 

Hartmann declined to go into detail on the AE 2100’s cost per unit, but noted that the engines covered in the multiyear agreement are cheaper than those that would be sold internationally, a direct result of buying them in bulk.

 

There are more than 300 C-130J models in service in 15 countries, according to company figures. The J model is the most modernized version.

 

Meanwhile, Rolls continues to move forward with its Series 3.5 engine enhancement program for the T56 engines used in older C-130 models.

 

In the Series 3.5 engine enhancement, Rolls retrofits parts from newer engines into the Series 3 T56 engine casing, replacing aging and inefficient components. These include compressor seals from Rolls’ Series 4 engine and uncooled turbine blades from the Rolls AE-1107C design. The retrofit can occur during regular maintenance of the older engines.

 

Rolls estimates the engine upgrades will extend the life of the C-130H fleet to 2040, and an Air Force study has found it could save the service as much as $2 billion.

 

Hal Chrisman, vice president with services firm ICF International, said he sees a potential market for upgrades to the T56, which also powers the P-3 Orion maritime patrol plane flown by the US Navy. According to ICF figures, there are 1,363 planes that use the T56, although that number will drop over the next decade.

 

“Overall, the fleet of C-130s and P-3s stays relatively flat over the next five years,” Chrisman said. “You’re getting deliveries of C-130Js, but starting to lose the older B through H models, However, the fleet of T56-powered aircraft drops by about 250 over the next eight to 10 years, or at about -2.4 percent annually. If you look at it, some of these are kind of getting long in the tooth.”

 

As part of the fiscal 2014 appropriations bill passed in January, the Air Force was given $15.7 million toward exploring the 3.5 program. Hartmann estimates that the money will be enough to outfit “a handful” of older C-130 models, perhaps four to six, with the enhanced engines.

 

Those kits could be delivered to the Air Force in 2015. While the service will have the final decision on which aircraft get the first upgrades, the Air National Guard would make sense, given its reliance on the older C-130H.

 

Getting in as a program of record was a huge step forward, according to Hartmann, who noted that “every battle is a tough battle when you’re looking to add something.

 

“We’re cautiously optimistic” about getting further funding, likely a small increase, in the fiscal 2015 budget, he said.

 

“I think the budget situation will make modifications like this more attractive,” Chrisman said. “With the current [US federal] budget constraints, it’s a whole lot cheaper to upgrade airplanes than buy new ones. The success of a lot of these things depends on the support they get in Congress.”

 

While the Air Force may be the first customer, Hartmann said Rolls has recently talked to “quite a number” of potential international partners.

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31 janvier 2014 5 31 /01 /janvier /2014 18:50
photo Dassault Aviation

photo Dassault Aviation

 

31 January 2014 By Dominic Perry – FG

 

London - BAE Systems and Dassault Aviation have welcomed the launch by the UK and France of a joint two-year £120 million ($198 million) feasibility study into a future unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV).

 

The pact was unveiled today at a summit between Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Francois Hollande at RAF Brize Norton in the UK.

 

Early research on the programme has already been carried out by the two companies, along with partners Rolls-Royce, Safran, Thales and Selex, leading to the recent completion of a joint study presented to both governments. The "preparation phase" work was conducted following the 2010 Lancaster House treaty, which deepened defence ties between the two nations.

 

Eric Trappier, Dassault chief executive, says: "This launch by the French and British authorities is contributing to the development of the combat air systems sector, and is paving the way for the future in this strategic field."

 

Ian King, chief executive of BAE Systems, adds: "Given the strong research and development investment and progress in technology that has already been made, continuing work in unmanned air systems will also ensure we maintain the core knowledge and key skills necessary to make a make a long-term contribution to both our national economies.”

 

 

Dassault and BAE Systems welcome Anglo-French UCAV pact

Both companies have already been working on UCAV demonstration programmes. BAE's Taranis has conducted test flights in conjunction with the UK Ministry of Defence, while Dassault was the industrial lead on the multination Neuron programme, which made its maiden flight in December 2012.

 

Technologies from both are likely to be utilised on the future Anglo-French UCAV.

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18 décembre 2013 3 18 /12 /décembre /2013 08:20
Rolls-Royce work ongoing on engines used on V-22s

 

LONDON, Dec. 17 (UPI)

 

The Naval Air Systems Command has exercised a final option year of a contract with Rolls-Royce for the company's support of AE 1107C engines for V-22 aircraft.

 

The option, the fifth for the company's MissionCare services, carries a value of $57.1 million and includes repair and support services at Rolls-Royce's facilities in Indianapolis and Oakland, Calif.

 

"Rolls-Royce is committed to providing innovative and affordable support to our U.S. military customers," said Rolls-Royce President Paul Craig. "We are focused on keeping their aircraft flying while continually seeking new solutions that will enhance their mission capability in future."

 

The Bell Boeing V-22 has both vertical takeoff and landing and short takeoff and landing capabilities. It is flown by the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force.

 

Rolls-Royce said it has developed modifications to the AE 1107C engine which enable it to deliver 17 percent additional power. The modifications are being implemented under the MissionCare support contract and have increased "hot and high" performance while significantly increasing time on wing.

 

Details of the modifications were not provided.

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17 septembre 2013 2 17 /09 /septembre /2013 12:20
Rolls-Royce Boosts Power for V-22 Engines

Rolls-Royce says it has increased the power of the engine it supplies for US V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft by 17 percent. (photo USMC)

 

Sep. 16, 2013 - By AARON MEHTA – Defense News

 

WASHINGTON — Engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce has increased the power output of its V-22 Osprey engine by 17 percent, a significant jump that should boost the reliability of the tilt-rotor aircraft in high-altitude, high-heat conditions, according to a company official.

 

“We’ve been upgrading the [AE family] of engines to provide more thrust as more challenging requirements came up in the commercial market, so we knew there was more power available” said Tom Hartmann, the company’s senior vice president of defense. “Now that we’re through the hurdles of wrestling and working the time-on-wing improvements, we recognize there is additional capability we haven’t taken advantage of that could provide high power to the Pentagon for their particular missions.”

 

The engine improvements came from three relatively small changes. First, the company added a new turbine to the engine, known as the Block 3 turbine. That design is based on a commercial product Rolls-Royce has used.

 

Some of those turbines are already in the field; the company has been installing them into all new-production models since July 2012, and began upgrading older turbines during regular maintenance two months later.

 

The other modifications included an increase in the flow capacity of the fuel valve and a software update, which allow the engines to deliver the higher power when needed.

 

Each V-22 Osprey is powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce AE 1107C engines. The US Air Force’s fleet of CV-22s are used for special operations missions. The US Marine Corps’ MV-22 has two variants, the B and C models, which are used in the transportation of troops and equipment.

 

Most of the time, the V-22 won’t need the extra power. It’s really designed for use at higher altitudes — the 6,000-8,000-foot range — where the V-22 has struggled.

 

“Without flight tests, it’s hard to say the real-world impact” of the improvements, Hartmann said. But Rolls aims to give US military operators full engine capability at 6,000 feet with an air temperature of 95 degrees, a challenge that he said Air Force officials asked the company to look at.

 

“Right now, they are limited on what load they can carry at 6,000 feet and 95 degrees.” Hartmann said. “The plan is to provide that full capability in the near term, and then, in a future upgrade, give enhanced capability at 8,000 feet and 95 degrees.”

 

The company will begin tests of its upgraded engine in the fall, beginning the Federal Aviation Administration review process. Hartmann expects kits for the improved engines to arrive late 2014.

 

Rolls also is keeping an eye on a more comprehensive Block 4 upgrade, which should increase power by 26 percent over the current baseline, allowing the engines to hit close to 10,000 horsepower. It also could improve fuel consumption, which the company expects to be key as the Pentagon focuses more on the Asia-Pacific region.

 

“You have the ‘tyranny of distance’ in the Pacific, so better fuel consumption is obviously a benefit in that region,” Hartmann said.

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15 septembre 2013 7 15 /09 /septembre /2013 11:50
Apache Attack Helicopter Army Air Corps - photo UK MoD

Apache Attack Helicopter Army Air Corps - photo UK MoD

Sep 11, 2013 ASDNews Source : Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)

 

    The MOD has awarded a GBP367 million contract to provide engine maintenance for 2 of the UK's military helicopter fleets.

 

The 6-year agreement with Rolls-Royce Turbomeca will deliver essential support for the Army’s Apaches and the Merlin helicopters used by the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. The new contract will deliver savings of more than £300 million compared to previous arrangements.

 

Both the Apaches and the Merlins, which operate around the world and have had extensive service in Afghanistan, are powered by the same RTM322 engines.

 

By simplifying the supply chain, improving technical support and increasing the availability of spare parts, the new contract will help to reduce the numbers of major repairs needed on the airframes, keeping them in the air for longer.

 

Work will be carried out at 4 bases where the Apaches and Merlins operate - RAF Benson, Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, Army Air Corps airfields at Wattisham and Middle Wallop and at Rolls-Royce and Turbomeca sites in the UK and France.

 

Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Philip Dunne, said: “This contract will provide important support for our Merlin and Apache fleets, which play an vital role defending this country’s interests around the world. This includes defending the UK and protecting our personnel on operations in Afghanistan.

“By improving the way we work with industry to maintain our helicopters with contracts like these, we can keep Apache and Merlin helicopters in the air for longer, which also ensures best value for money, saving for the taxpayer £300 million over 6 years compared with the previous support arrangements.”

 

Air Commodore Mark Sibley, who is responsible for the maintenance of Apaches and Chinooks, said: “Merlins and Apaches have been used extensively in Afghanistan and are 2 key capabilities for our Armed Forces. This contract has a number of benefits for our Apache and Merlin crews, principally improving engine availability and reliability, while reducing costs.”

Merlin Mk2 helicopter

Merlin Mk2 helicopter

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13 septembre 2013 5 13 /09 /septembre /2013 16:20
Rolls-Royce Joins BAE Hawk AJTS Team to Pursue USAF T-X Contract

Sep 13, 2013 ASDNews Source : BAE Systems PLC

 

    Rolls-Royce will lead the support and integration of the Adour Mk951 engine on the Hawk AJTS aircraft

 

BAE Systems, Inc. and Rolls-Royce today announced that Rolls-Royce is joining the Hawk Advanced Jet Training System (AJTS) team as an exclusive partner to compete for the U.S. Air Force’s T-X program. As the engine supplier to BAE Systems on this pursuit, Rolls-Royce will lead the support and integration of the Adour Mk951 engine on the Hawk AJTS aircraft.

 

“Rolls-Royce’s extensive propulsion expertise, coupled with their lengthy relationship with the U.S. Air Force, makes them the perfect choice to integrate their Adour Mk951 engine in the Hawk AJTS aircraft,” said Robert Wood, vice president of BAE Systems’ Hawk Advanced Jet Training System team. “The selection of Rolls-Royce rounds out the Hawk AJTS team as we pursue the T-X program win.”

 

Rolls-Royce joins BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman, and L-3 Link Simulation & Training as the fourth member of the Hawk AJTS team. The team plans to offer the Hawk AJTS as the replacement of the T-38 trainer. The Hawk AJTS is uniquely tailored to meet the training needs of the U.S. Air Force and will be manufactured in the United States with the involvement of a strong U.S. supply chain.

 

“We are delighted to join the Hawk AJTS team and bring our decades of experience to the program,” said Tom Hartmann, senior vice president of Customer Business at Rolls-Royce Defense. “The Rolls-Royce Adour engine has demonstrated success with 8.6 million flying hours and 200 engines already in service within the U.S. Department of Defense, plus hundreds of others in service around the world. The Hawk AJTS is the affordable, low-risk option, offering proven performance to the U.S. Air Force.”

 

The Hawk AJTS effectively integrates live and synthetic air- and ground-based elements to successfully train pilots for 5th generation fighters such as the F-35 Lightning II and the F-22 Raptor. It is the world’s only fully-integrated, off-the-shelf system in service today that is ready now to train U.S. Air Force combat pilots. More than just an aircraft, the Hawk AJTS teaches student pilots how to address the critical flow of information, learn to interpret it correctly, and make the right decisions to maintain operational advantage.

 

Almost 1,000 Hawk aircraft have been sold across the globe, helping produce highly trained pilots in 18 countries for newest-generation aircraft such as Typhoon, F-35 Lightning II, and JAS 39 Gripen. The Hawk aircraft, which is in active production around the world, is the future lead-in trainer for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps’ F-35, and for militaries in the U.K., Canada, and Australia.

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11 septembre 2013 3 11 /09 /septembre /2013 17:50
Rolls-Royce Unveils New Maritime Patrol Vessel Design

Sep 11, 2013 ASDNews Source : Rolls-Royce Plc

 

Rolls-Royce has unveiled a new design of maritime patrol craft at the Defence & Security Event International (DSEI) in London.

 

The first of a 'protection vessel family' of designs, is a new 55-metre craft featuring a range of equipment from Rolls-Royce (stabilisers, thrusters, steering gear, fixed pitch propellers) and MTU (diesels, diesel generators, Callosum IPMS), offering a cost-effective design that can be tailored to mission requirements.

 

Weighing around 500 tonnes, the new vessel is suited to patrol, search and rescue and interception duties. A 90-metre version of the craft will be on offer by the end of the year, with a 75-metre design following in 2014.

 

Garry Mills, Rolls-Royce, Chief of Naval Ship Design, said: "Coastal protection and offshore patrol vessels is a growing sector and this new design offers multi-purpose capability, incorporating core design elements that are replicated across the family of vessels.

 

"Our customers often face short timescales in the procurement of this type of craft, and having a scalable, cost effective offering is essential.

 

"There is a growing trend of commercial marine technology crossing into naval markets as governments seek cost reduction through proven capability. Naval vessels generally comprise many disparate and complex technologies, and that’s what Rolls-Royce, with its broad product base, is good at integrating bespoke whole-ship systems to minimise programme risk."

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2 septembre 2013 1 02 /09 /septembre /2013 07:50
Safran finalise le rachat de la participation de Rolls-Royce dans le programme commun de turbines d’hélicoptère RTM322

Paris, le 2 septembre 2013 - Safran

 

Safran (NYSE Euronext Paris : SAF) annonce avoir finalisé l’acquisition à Rolls-Royce de la participation de 50 % de cette dernière dans leur programme commun de turbines d’hélicoptère RTM322. Le montant en numéraire de la transaction s’élève à 293 millions d’euros.

 

Désormais, Turbomeca (filiale de Safran leader dans les turbines d’hélicoptère) assumera la totalité de la responsabilité de la conception, de la production, du support des produits et des services (pièces de rechange et maintenance, réparation et révision) pour le moteur RTM322. Ce modèle équipe les hélicoptères Apache, EH101 et NH90. Rolls-Royce s’engage à accompagner pleinement Turbomeca dans la phase de transition au cours de laquelle les activités de Rolls-Royce liées à ce programme feront l’objet d’un transfert progressif.

 

Le programme RTM322 est une priorité pour Turbomeca, qui a la volonté d’en poursuivre le développement technique et commercial et envisage notamment une amélioration de ses performances, ainsi que des investissements afin de répondre sur le long terme aux besoins du segment stratégique du marché des turbines d’hélicoptères les plus puissantes (3 000 shp et au-delà).

 

Les objectifs et aspects financiers de la transaction ont été communiqués lors de l’annonce de sa signature le 23 avril 2013.

****

 

Calendrier :

 

    Chiffre d’affaires T3 2013 : 24 octobre 2013

    Résultats annuels 2013 : 20 février 2014

 

Safran est un groupe international de haute technologie, équipementier de premier rang dans les domaines Aérospatial (propulsion, équipements), Défense et Sécurité. Implanté sur tous les continents, le Groupe emploie 62 500 personnes pour un chiffre d’affaires de 13,6 milliards d’euros en 2012. Composé de nombreuses sociétés, le groupe Safran occupe, seul ou en partenariat, des positions de premier plan mondial ou européen sur ses marchés. Pour répondre à l’évolution des marchés, le Groupe s’engage dans des programmes de recherche et développement qui ont représenté en 2012 des dépenses de 1,6 milliard d’euros. Safran est une société cotée sur NYSE Euronext Paris et fait partie de l’indice CAC 40.

Pour plus d’informations, www.safran-group.com / Suivez @SAFRAN sur Twitter

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7 mai 2013 2 07 /05 /mai /2013 10:50
Démission surprise du directeur de l’aéronautique de Rolls-Royce

6 mai Aerobuzz.fr

 

Rolls-Royce a annoncé (2 mai 2013) le départ inattendu de Mark King, directeur de la branche aéronautique, quatre mois seulement après la fusion entre les activités civils et militaires de cette dernière. Mark King était directeur de l’unité aéronautique civile avant de prendre la tête de la nouvelle division regroupant les activités civiles et militaires en janvier 2013. Ce départ soudain serait la conséquence d’une décision personnelle. King a travaillé pendant 27 ans chez Rolls-Royce

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24 avril 2013 3 24 /04 /avril /2013 07:50
Crédits A. Paringaux

Crédits A. Paringaux

LONDON, April 23 (UPI)

 

British engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce is selling its interest in the RTM322 engine program for powering Apache, Merlin and NH helicopters.

 

The sale of its 50 percent interest will be to Turbomeca of France, a member of the Safran group, Rolls-Royce said.

 

Turbomeca is progressively buying Rolls-Royce shares and will eventually hold sole interest in the program. The deal is worth a total of about $382.5 million in cash.

 

The sale is expected to be complete before the end of this year, subject to closing conditions.

 

"Turbomeca will assume full responsibility for the design, production and support of the RTM322 engine, which powers the Apache, EH101 Merlin and NH90 helicopters," Rolls-Royce said. "Rolls-Royce will provide full assistance to Turbomeca during the multi-year transition period to ensure all RTM322 customers continue to receive effective support."

 

The RRTM Adour engine program which powers the Hawk and Jaguar aircraft, is unaffected by this agreement.

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23 avril 2013 2 23 /04 /avril /2013 16:32
photo Marine Nationale

photo Marine Nationale

23/04/2013 Michel Cabirol – LaTribune.fr

 

Safran va racheter au groupe britannique Rolls-Royce sa participation de 50 % dans leur programme commun de turbines d'hélicoptère RTM322, qui équipe notamment le NH90. Une opération qui s'élève à 293 millions d'euros pour une activité, qui réalise actuellement près de 200 millions d'euros de chiffre d'affaires par an.

 

Pour Eurocopter, c'est presque un soulagement. Safran, qui a annoncé ce mardi avoir signé un accord avec le groupe britannique Rolls-Royce en vue d'acquérir la participation de 50 % de cette dernière dans leur programme commun de turbines d'hélicoptère RTM322, qui équipe notamment le NH90, sécurise les développements à venir de ce programme majeur pour la filiale hélicoptériste d'EADS. "Une fois l'opération finalisée, Turbomeca (filiale de Safran leader dans les moteurs d'hélicoptère) assumera la totalité de la responsabilité de la conception, de la production, du support des produits et des services pour le moteur RTM322", a expliqué dans un communiqué Safran. Ce modèle de 2.100 à 2.600 shp équipe les hélicoptères américain Apache, italo-britannique EH101 et européen NH90. "Rolls-Royce s'engage à accompagner pleinement Turbomeca dans la phase de transition au cours de laquelle les activités de Rolls-Royce liées à ce programme feront l'objet d'un transfert progressif", a précisé Safran.

 

Plus une priorité de Rolls-Royce

 

Pourquoi une telle opération ? Pour Eurocopter, il était important de poursuivre le développement de ce moteur. Ce qui n'était pas acquis, ce n'était plus l'une des priorités de Rolls-Royce, qui souhaite se concentrer sur les moteurs des avions long-courrier. En revanche, le programme RTM322 est une priorité pour Turbomeca, qui a "la volonté d'en poursuivre le développement commercial et envisage notamment une amélioration de ses performances, ainsi que des investissements afin de répondre aux besoins du marché sur le long terme".

 

Cet accord permettra à Turbomeca de poursuivre de façon autonome ses investissements et le développement de nouveaux moteurs, au bénéfice des clients du segment des turbines d'hélicoptères plus puissantes (3.000 shp et au-delà), un segment stratégique sur lequel Turbomeca n'est pas présent actuellement. Plusieurs nouveaux programmes d'hélicoptères lourds sont en effet en phase de planification ou de développement pour lesquels Turbomeca entend proposer des solutions de propulsion modernes et efficientes. Enfin, l'accord couvre également les activités de services après-vente (pièces de rechange et maintenance, réparation et révision) pour la flotte existante, qui cumule à ce jour l'équivalent de près d'un million d'heures de vol.

 

Objectif : vendre 3.500 moteurs

 

Dans les 15 prochaines années, l'objectif de Turbomeca est de vendre "quelque 3.500 moteurs aux plates-formes existantes ainsi que sur de futures plates-formes de la catégorie des 8 à 13 tonnes dans les domaines civil et militaire, qui exigent une puissance de moteur toujours plus élevée". La part de Rolls-Royce dans le chiffre d'affaires du programme RTM322 s'élève à environ 85 millions d'euros par an, et provient en majeure partie des activités de services. Dès la finalisation de l'opération, Turbomeca assumera la pleine responsabilité du programme RTM322, notamment le soutien de la flotte existante de turbines d'hélicoptères, ainsi que le développement d'opportunités nouvelles de services et de ventes export.

 

Déjà partenaire à 50 % du programme, Turbomeca bénéficiera de synergies croissantes par la simplification de l'organisation et des process, et par l'internalisation progressive avec le soutien de Rolls-Royce de la production et des services de maintenance, réparation et révision. A l'issue de la période de transition, Safran évalue à plus de 30 millions d'euros la contribution annuelle supplémentaire à son résultat opérationnel, grâce aux synergies et aux opportunités commerciales nouvelles, résultant de la détention de l'intégralité du programme. Au total, Safran devrait réaliser près de 200 millions d'euros de chiffre d'affaires sur ce programme.

 

Safran et Rolls-Royce ont topé cette nuit

 

C'est dans la nuit de lundi à mardi que les deux groupes, qui ont engagé des discussions depuis des mois, ont trouvé un accord. Le montant en numéraire de la transaction s'élève à 293 millions d'euros. Outre les 50 % détenus par Rolls-Royce dans le programme RTM322, la transaction concerne également les droits de propriété intellectuelle liés à ce programme ainsi que la participation de Rolls-Royce à hauteur de 50 % dans la joint-venture RRTM (Rolls-Royce-Turbomeca). L'acquisition, qui est soumise aux autorisations réglementaires et doit remplir les autres conditions habituellement exigées, devrait être finalisée avant la fin de l'année. En revanche, le programme du moteur Adour en coopération entre Rolls-Royce et Turbomeca, qui équipe les avions Hawk et Jaguar, n'est pas affecté par cette transaction, de même que les autres programmes de turbines d'hélicoptères menés par Rolls-Royce et Turbomeca indépendamment l'un de l'autre.

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