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.

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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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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."

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

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.