Rolls-Royce Powers Japanese Aerospace Industry

While the mention of Rolls-Royce may forever bring to mind images of an expensive luxury car... this is an aviation publication, after all. So shake your head of those images and bring it back to another important aspect of the 100 year old company -- engines.

Rolls-Royce, named for its founders Henry Royce and Charles Rolls, a provider of power systems and services in the air, on land, and at sea, highlighted the importance of its relationship with the Japanese aerospace industry at the UK-Japan Aerospace Forum in Tokyo Saturday.

One of the key aspects of the Rolls-Royce relationship with Japanese industry is that it shares technology and capability, so that the companies can work together through the whole life of an engine program, said Neil Takei, vice president Business Development - Japan, according to a press release.

Rolls-Royce has developed into a significant contributor to Japan's aerospace industry by working with its major industrial groups, Takei said.

"We have built a strong relationship with the Japanese 'Heavies' on the RB211 and Trent aero engines since 1988, and we will continue to collaborate with Japanese partners in the future," he said.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries, and Marubeni are involved as risk and revenue sharing partners on six Rolls-Royce large turbofan engines.

Between them, the companies work on the RB211 (a high-bypass turbofan aircraft engine) for the Boeing 747, the Trent 700 for the Airbus A330, Trent 800 for the Boeing 777, Trent 500 for the A340, Trent 900 for the A380 and the upcoming Trent 1000, which will enter service for the first time next year with the Boeing 787 Dreamliners of All Nippon Airways.

Takei said that Japanese companies were now involved in the production of a wide range of engine components.

"Rolls-Royce has developed its relationship with Japanese partners, from supplying individual components to major sub-assemblies and whole engine integration," he said.

Rolls-Royce is also a partner with the Japanese Aero Engines Corporation in the International Aero Engines V2500 engine which powers the Airbus A320 family. That collaboration, which began in 1983, built on the RJ500 demonstrator program between Rolls-Royce and Japan in the 1970s.

The company has a broad customer base of 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, reports Malaysia Star Publications.

FMI: www.rolls-royce.com, www.sjac.or.jp