Rolls-Royce to develop hypersonic technology with UK MOD

17 July 2019 - Rolls-Royce has been awarded a contract to develop hypersonic propulsion systems for increased aircraft performance and capability.

The MOD’ procurement arm, Defence Equipment and Support, intends to place a circa 2-year, single sourced contract, for a UK programme to undertake design studies, research, development, analysis and experimentation relating to high-Mach advanced propulsion systems.  The contract will be with Rolls-Royce Plc, (RR) and its technology partners, BAE Systems and Reaction Engines and will focus on enabling technologies for increased aircraft performance and capability.

Speaking at the 2019 Air and Space Power Conference, the UK’s Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, said:

“As part of the technologies being developed in parallel with Project Tempest, I am delighted to reveal that in concert with Rolls-Royce, Reaction Engines and BAE Systems, we are developing hypersonic propulsion systems, which will be designed and tested over the next 2 years, paving the way for the UK to become a centre of excellence in this technology and contribute to meeting future UK Defence needs.”

Alex Zino, Director Business Development and Future Programmes said:

“Rolls-Royce will work closely with the UK MOD and our partners BAE Systems and Reaction Engines to conduct and coordinate research into high Mach advanced propulsion systems.

“Going forward, this collaboration will allow us to focus on enabling innovative technologies for increased aircraft performance and capability.”

A joint industry statement by Rolls-Royce, Reaction Engines and BAE Systems welcomed the initiative:

“By bringing together acknowledged aerospace innovation capability from British companies, Rolls-Royce, Reaction Engines and BAE Systems, critical high Mach propulsion technology elements will be developed over the next 2 years, paving the way for a UK centre of excellence in this technology and contributing to meeting UK MOD future defence needs.

This work highlights the importance of collaboration with our partners and will allow us to focus on developing innovative technologies for increased aircraft performance and capability.”

About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

Rolls-Royce’s vision is to create better power for a changing world via two main business divisions, Aerospace and Land & Sea. These business divisions address markets with two strong technology platforms, gas turbines and reciprocating engines. Aerospace comprises Civil Aerospace and Defence Aerospace. Land & Sea comprises Marine, Nuclear and Power Systems.

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 more than 5,000 power 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 $23.36 billion* in 2014, around half of which came from the provision of aftermarket services. The firm and announced order book stood at $122.4 billion* at 30 June 2015.

In 2014, Rolls-Royce invested $1.92 billion* on research and development. We also support a global network of 31 University Technology Centers, which position Rolls-Royce engineers at the forefront of scientific research.

Rolls-Royce employs over 54,000 people in more than 50 countries. Over 15,500 of these are engineers.