Rolls-Royce selected by US Military for advanced technology development program

Wednesday, 26 September 2007

Rolls-Royce has been selected for the HEETE (Highly Efficient Embedded Turbine Engine) advanced technology program to design next-generation propulsion systems for the US Air Force. The work will be carried out by the company's LibertyWorks research unit in Indianapolis, Indiana, US.

The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) awarded the program to Rolls-Royce in a contract that is valued at $19.6 million.

HEETE is a technology development program that pursues high temperature, high pressure ratio compressor technologies and their related thermal management features. While HEETE is currently focused on an advanced compressor demonstration, the goal is to define the next generation engine architecture for subsonic missions, such as ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), Subsonic Strike, Transports, and carrier-based Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

Dennis Jarvi, President Defense North America for Rolls-Royce, said: 'This is another strategic win for Rolls-Royce LibertyWorks - following closely on the heels of last month?s Adaptive Versatile Engine Technology (ADVENT) award. With these two awards from the US Department of Defense, LibertyWorks continues to build upon its reputation as an innovator in the field of advanced technology propulsion.'

In August of this year, Rolls-Royce was awarded a $296 million contract by the US Air Force Research Laboratory for work that will be carried out on ADVENT (Adaptive Versatile Engine Technology), a technology demonstrator program for future US Military aerospace platforms. ADVENT work will focus on the development of variable cycle features that will enable a high-thrust capability and a separate loiter operation with reduced fuel consumption.
LibertyWorks, known officially as Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., has a long history of service to the US military. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, US, LibertyWorks? - previously known as Allison Advanced Development Co. (AADC) -has contributed technology to the F-35 Lightning II LiftFan and F136 engine; IHPTET (Integrated High Performance Turbine Engine Technology) program; and the RATTLRS supersonic missile.
Rolls-Royce is a significant business in North America, with some 8,000 employees at more than 64 US locations in 26 states and eight Canadian sites in six provinces. Annual sales in North America are more than $3 billion and the company?s total U.S. investment stands at $1 billion and growing. U.S. interests hold more than 30 per cent of Rolls-Royce shares.
More Rolls-Royce engines are built in the United States than anywhere else in the world. Rolls-Royce engines produced in the US power the C-130, C-27J, V-22, Global Hawk and other military aircraft, as well as multiple civil airplanes and helicopters.
Rolls-Royce is a socially responsible corporate citizen and a good neighbor. The company and its employees in North America actively support their local communities. In 2005, the organization contributed nearly $700,000 to philanthropic causes and efforts across the region.
Globally, 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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