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.

Rolls-Royce, which was named a “Superior Supplier” by the US Navy this year, has incorporated the “hot and high” improvements at company expense through a MissionCare™ contract with the Navy. MissionCare, a Rolls-Royce designed package of services, incentivizes the company to design technology and affordability improvements to benefit the customer. Rolls-Royce has invested $90 million in capability and reliability improvements for the AE 1107C engine since 2009, reducing the maintenance cost per flight hour by 34 percent.

Tom Hartmann, Rolls-Royce, Senior Vice President Customer Business, said, “Rolls-Royce works continuously to develop improvements for the customer, focusing on enhancing capabilities and reducing costs. The AE 1107C engine is combat-proven and dependable – a powerplant that V-22 pilots and crew can rely on to complete their mission and return to base safely.”

Vince Tobin, Bell Helicopter, Vice President and Program Director for the Bell Boeing V-22, said “We are always grateful to see this type of innovation and support from our suppliers with the V-22 program. The team constantly seeks for ways to improve the capabilities we deliver to the fleet. We appreciate it when we can deliver enhanced performance that helps the customer maximize their own resources.”

The Navy recognized Rolls-Royce improvements for the AE 1107C with a Commander’s Award from the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in 2011. The propulsion team developed, qualified, tested and fielded upgraded engines in only seven months, including what the Navy called “an unprecedented design change.” The improvements led to the doubling of Time on Wing in only one year. The AE 1107C has the potential to increase its power rating to over 8,000 shaft horsepower by applying the experience and component design technology currently within the AE product family. In ground tests, the engine has demonstrated the capability to produce over 8,800 shaft horsepower.

Rolls-Royce has delivered more than 730 AE 1107C engines and is currently testing the MT7, a naval variant of the engine which has been selected for the US Navy’s Ship to Shore Connector. Both engines are part of the AE family of engines, which has topped 61 million flight hours.

About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

Rolls-Royce’s vision is to create better power for a changing world via two main business segments, Aerospace and Marine & Industrial Power Systems (MIPS). These business segments address markets with two strong technology platforms, gas turbines and reciprocating engines, for use on land, at sea and in the air.

Aerospace comprises Civil Aerospace and Defence Aerospace. MIPS comprises Marine, Nuclear & Energy and Power Systems (RRPS). On 6 May 2014 Rolls-Royce announced it had signed an agreement to sell its Energy gas turbine and compressor business to Siemens for a £785m cash consideration. On completion, expected before the end of December 2014, Rolls-Royce will receive a further £200 million for a 25 year licensing agreement.

Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 120 countries, comprising more than 380 airlines and leasing customers, 160 armed forces, 4,000 marine customers, including 70 navies, and 1,600 energy and nuclear customers.
Our business is focused on the 4Cs:
Customer – placing the customer at the heart of our business
Concentration – deciding where to grow and where not to
Cost – continually looking to increase efficiency
Cash – improving financial performance.

Annual underlying revenue was £15.5 billion in 2013, around half of which came from the provision of aftermarket services. The firm and announced order book stood at £70.4 billion at 30 June 2014.

In 2013, Rolls-Royce invested £1.1 billion on research and development. We also support a global network of 31 University Technology Centres, which position Rolls-Royce engineers at the forefront of scientific research.
Rolls-Royce employs over 55,000 people in 45 countries. Over 17,000 of these are engineers.

The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate recruitment and to further developing employee skills. In 2013 we employed 379 graduates and 288 apprentices through our worldwide training programmes. Globally we have over 1,000 Rolls-Royce STEM ambassadors who are actively involved in education programmes and activities; we have set ourselves a target to reach 6 million people through our STEM outreach activities by 2020.