AE2100 Powers C-130J, C-27 Spartan Aircraft

Rolls-Royce announced this week the engine manufacturer has topped one million hours of service with its AE 2100 military turboprop engine, a new milestone for one of the world's most famous aircraft -- the C-130 Hercules military transport.

"The AE 2100 engine is a proven winner, part of a wide-ranging and highly successful line of Rolls-Royce powerplants," said Dennis Jarvi, President Defense North America for Rolls-Royce. "The engine has built on the remarkable record of the T56, its predecessor on the C130, maintaining the Rolls-Royce position as the world-leader in engines for military transport aircraft."

AE 2100-D3 engines power C-130J Hercules aircraft in use by the US Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard; as well as aircraft in use by the Royal Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, the Italian Air Force and the Royal Danish Air Force.

The million-hour service mark is a significant milestone for the engines and the aircraft -- the world's first responder. The C-130 has been the U.S. Air Force's primary tactical transport and special mission aircraft since 1956, powered by Rolls-Royce T56 engines. The "J" version of the aircraft, powered by AE 2100-D3 engines, continue that legacy.

A similar version of the engine, the AE 2100-D2, powers the C-27J Spartan aircraft (below) in use by the Hellenic Air Force and being delivered to the Italian and Bulgarian air forces. The C-27J is also a candidate for the Joint Cargo Aircraft program for the US Army and Air Force.

AE 2100 engines are part of the Rolls-Royce AE "common core" engine line. Along with the AE 3007 and AE 1107C-Liberty, the proven engine line has totaled more than 21 million hours of service.

FMI: www.rolls-royce.com