Friday, 31 January 2014

Rolls-Royce and Snecma (Safran) have welcomed the decision by the Governments of the UK and France to support further studies into the next generation of UK and French combat aircraft engines.

The two companies will continue to work on this programme through their 50:50 Rolls-Royce Snecma Ltd joint venture, established in 2001. Rolls-Royce and Snecma will continue to explore propulsion system concepts and technologies as part of the Anglo French Future Combat Air Systems (FCAS) Demonstration Programme Preparation Phase contract.

Since the announcement of the studies in July 2012, Rolls-Royce and Snecma have agreed workshare on the programme based on the relative technological strengths of each company. Studies have focused on developing engine technologies that will be required to power the FCAS demonstrator and generate significant electrical power for the aircraft's sensors and systems.

Bob Stoddart, Rolls-Royce President, Customer Business - Defence, said: "We welcome the support of the Governments of the UK and France in this programme at a time where budgets are challenged. Continuing this programme will enable us to further develop and retain critical defence propulsion system technologies that will sustain leading edge operational capability in the UK and France."

Didier Desnoyer, Snecma Vice President and General Manager, Military Engines, said: "We are pleased that our two governments have confirmed the continuation of this programme. Our teams are focused on delivering the highest capabilities from France and UK in Defense Propulsion Domain and meeting the challenging expectations of this programme both on technical aspects and affordability."

  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, defence aerospace, marine and energy.
  2. As a result of this strategy, Rolls-Royce has a broad customer base comprising more than 300 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 £12.2 billion in 2012, of which more than half came from the provision of services. The firm and announced order book stood at £60.1 billion at 31 December 2012, providing visibility of future levels of activity.
  4. Rolls-Royce employs over 45,000 people in offices, manufacturing and service facilities in over 45 countries. Over 14,000 of these employees are engineers.
  5. In 2012, Rolls-Royce invested £919 million on 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 Centres, 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. Rolls-Royce Snecma Ltd was established in 2001 to provide programme management of technology acquisition, development, certification, production and in-service support for future combat power and propulsion systems. The joint venture company is designed to act as the prime contractor for future programmes, providing a single interface with customers and its parent companies Rolls-Royce plc and Snecma.
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