Rolls-Royce celebrates delivery of 30,000 Model 250 engines

Sunday, 24 February 2008

Rolls-Royce has celebrated the delivery of its 30,000th Model 250 engine, with a ceremony at this year’s Heli-Expo exhibition in Houston, Texas. The engine, a Model 250-C30HU engine, powers the MD Helicopter MD530F program.

Ken Roberts, Acting President of the Rolls-Royce Helicopter business, said: “Investment in new technology has been introduced regularly since Model 250 production began in the 1960s. This has enhanced the engine’s power, fuel efficiency and time between overhauls.

“Today, over 17,000 Model 250 engines are in service with 4,500 operators in over 120 nations. The Model 250 family has accumulated over 180 million flight hours, providing an unmatched level of expertise in every conceivable operational condition.”

“I’m pleased that we are able to celebrate this significant milestone with an equally significant customer in MD Helicopters.”

Lynn Tilton, CEO of MD Helicopters, said: “We are honored to be part of this celebratory event at a time when MD Helicopters’ great legacy has been restored to its former glory.”

The Model 250 is in full-rate production at the Rolls-Royce facilities in Indianapolis, Indiana. Originally developed as a 250 shp turboshaft / turboprop family to meet the needs of the U.S. Army, the Model 250 family has evolved into one of the industry’s most successful civil and military turbine engine product lines, with four generations of powerplants.
The latest Model 250-C47B turboshaft is a FADEC-equipped engine that produces 650 mechanical shaft horsepower (813 thermodynamic shp) at take-off.
The Model 250 family includes a variety of types, including the 420-450 shp Series II turboshaft, the 420-450 shp Series II turboprop, the Model 250-K34 industrial engine, the military Model 250-C30R/3, and the 650-715 shp Series IV turboshaft.
Rolls-Royce, the world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, operates in four global markets; civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy.
It continues to invest in core technologies, products, people and capabilities with the objective of broadening and strengthening the product portfolio, improving efficiency and enhancing the environmental performance of its products. These investments create high barriers to entry.
The success of its products is demonstrated by rapid and substantial gains in market share. The company now has a total of 54,000 gas turbines in service worldwide and they generate a demand for high-value services throughout their operational lives.
Rolls-Royce has a broad customer base comprising 600 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces, more than 2,000 marine customers including 70 navies, and energy customers in 120 countries. Rolls-Royce is a technology leader, employing 38,000 people in offices, manufacturing and service facilities in 50 countries.

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