Fri, Dec 19, 2008
$131 Million Contract Covers First Six STOVL Aircraft
Rolls-Royce has signed a $131 million contract with Pratt &
Whitney to supply LiftSystems for the first six Short Take-Off and
Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant F-35B Lightning II aircraft. This
is the first production contract for Rolls-Royce as part of its
involvement in the world's biggest-ever defense procurement
program.
The Rolls-Royce LiftSystem comprises a LiftFan, Roll Posts and 3
Bearing Swivel Module. Rolls-Royce will provide these through the
propulsion system prime contractor Pratt & Whitney, with parts
deliveries beginning as early as next month. The scope of the
contract also includes spare hardware, production investment and
sustainment planning.
"STOVL technology is a huge asset for Rolls-Royce and the
company has played a pioneering role in its development since the
launch of the Pegasus engine for the Harrier in the late 1950s,"
said Axel Arendt, President of Defence at Rolls-Royce. "With the
F-35 project we are utilizing the latest technologies to power the
next generation of STOVL aircraft."
Simon Henley, Program Director for New Product Introduction at
Rolls-Royce, said "The LiftSystem program is rapidly gaining
momentum on both sides of the Atlantic and this significant step
forward puts us firmly into the production phase for this
game-changing aircraft."
Orders for the LiftSystem are expected to total over 600, with
leading customers including the US Marine Corps, The UK Armed
Forces and the Italian Navy. The F-35B variant is expected to
remain in service well after 2050.
Rolls-Royce engineers in Bristol, UK and Indianapolis, US, are
involved in design and assembly of the LiftSystem, with component
manufacture also taking place at the Hucknall and Bristol sites in
the UK.
This production contract follows on from the $1.1 billion
contract signed with Pratt & Whitney in 2001 to develop the
F135 STOVL Propulsion System.
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