Rolls-Royce Begins Advanced Technology Testing on HEETE Compressor at US Air Force Research Laboratory

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has initiated testing on a new, advanced technology engine compressor focusing on reducing fuel consumption.

Rolls-Royce was selected for the HEETE (Highly Energy Efficient Turbine Engine) advanced technology program to design next-generation propulsion systems for the US Air Force. The development work is being carried out by the company's LibertyWorks research unit in Indianapolis, Indiana, US. In 2007, the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) awarded the program to Rolls-Royce in a contract that is valued at $24.3 million.

HEETE is a technology development program that pursues high temperature, high pressure ratio compressor technologies and their related thermal management features. While HEETE is currently focused on an advanced compressor demonstration, the goal is to define the next generation engine architecture for subsonic missions, such as Transports, Tankers, ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), and Subsonic Strike Vehicles.

Tom Bell, Rolls-Royce, President Customer Business – Defense, said, “By achieving the goals of the HEETE program with our demonstrator, Rolls-Royce will have proven advanced compressor technology that can be applied to future transport, patrol and ISR applications, ranging from our successful AE family to larger engine applications, to meet the future needs of the US military by increasing range and reducing fuel consumption.”

“The Rolls-Royce advanced technology HEETE program is yet another example of the successful work carried out by our LibertyWorks unit. LibertyWorks has successfully designed and tested propulsion technology through the ADVENT program, as well as research conducted for NASA and the major US airframe companies. Rolls-Royce continues to lead the way on advanced technology programs.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Rolls-Royce is a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, and has established a strong position in global markets - civil aerospace, defense aerospace, marine and energy.
2. As a result of this strategy, Rolls-Royce has a broad customer base comprising more than 500 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces, more than 4,000 marine customers, including 70 navies, and energy customers in more than 80 countries.
3. Annual underlying revenue was $18.1 billion* in 2011, of which more than half came from the sale of aftermarket services. The firm and announced order book stood at $96.2 billion* at June 30, 2012, providing visibility of future growth.
4. Rolls-Royce employs over 40,000 people in offices, manufacturing and service facilities in over 50 countries. Over 11,000 of these employees are engineers.
5. In 2011, Rolls-Royce invested $1.4 billion* in research and development, two thirds of which had the objective of further improving the environmental performance of its products, in particular reducing emissions.
6. Rolls-Royce supports a global network of 28 University Technology Centers, which connect the company’s engineers with the forefront of scientific research.
7. The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate recruitment and to further developing employee skills.
8. In North America, Rolls-Royce employs more than 9,300 people in 66 locations in 26 states and 7 sites in 6 Canadian provinces. In the United States, Rolls-Royce employs more than 7,700 people in 26 states.
9. In the U.S., Rolls-Royce operates 15 manufacturing, assembly or test facilities in 10 states including California, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

* Assumed exchange rate: £1.00= $1.60