Rolls-Royce Selected to Develop Robust Electrical Power System for Future Energy-Optimized Aircraft

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rolls-Royce today announced that it has been selected to design and develop a robust electrical power system (REPS) as part of the Integrated Vehicle Energy Technology component and subsystem development (INVENT-SDD). The $690,000 contract, awarded by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), funds the development of critical INVENT subsystem technologies, and is the third occasion in 15 months in which LibertyWorks® has been selected for AFRL programs.

“We are delighted to have been chosen to develop one of the critical INVENT subsystems. We are closely working with airframe primes to provide an integrated power solution that will be compatible not only with existing jet engines, but will also support next-generation aircraft.”

Phil Burkholder, Chief Operating Officer for LibertyWorks, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen to develop one of the critical INVENT subsystems. We are closely working with airframe primes to provide an integrated power solution that will be compatible not only with existing jet engines, but will also support next-generation aircraft.”

The REPS initiative includes increasing power, improving efficiencies, and reducing lifecycle costs. The intent is to generate less heat, increase fuel efficiency and enable electricity capacity for various systems to meet the increasing demands of existing and future onboard systems.

Next steps will involve an assessment of all three critical technologies and integrated ground demonstrations of the consensus architecture for energy-optimized aircraft. Work will be undertaken by the company’s LibertyWorks research unit in Indianapolis, Indiana.

NOTE TO EDITORS

1. LibertyWorks® (Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.) develops and demonstrates technologies for advanced gas turbine propulsion and power systems. Guided by a heritage of innovations and driven by a passion for propulsion technology, LibertyWorks contributed technology to the F-35 LiftFan & F136 engine, IHPTET (Integrated High Performance Turbine Engine Technology) program, and the RATTLRS supersonic missile.
2. In September 2007, Rolls-Royce was awarded a $19.6 million contract by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory for work that will be carried out on HEETE. The HEETE technology program is a key element within the U.S. Air Force's Versatile Affordable Advanced Turbine Engines (VAATE) program that aims to provide game-changing propulsion system capabilities with superior fuel efficiency.
3. In August 2007, Rolls-Royce was awarded a $296 million contract by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory for work that will be carried out on ADVENT (Adaptive Versatile Engine Technology), a technology demonstrator program for future U.S. Military aerospace platforms. ADVENT work will focus on the development of variable cycle features that will enable a high-thrust capability and a separate loiter operation with reduced fuel consumption.
4. Rolls-Royce, a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, has established a strong position in global markets - civil aerospace, defense aerospace, marine and energy.
5. Rolls-Royce has a broad customer base comprising 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. Rolls-Royce is a technology leader, employing 39,000 people in offices, manufacturing and service facilities in 50 countries. Forty per cent of its employees are based outside the UK - including 8,000 in North America.
6. Rolls-Royce continues to invest in core technologies, products, people and capabilities with the objective of broadening and strengthening the product and service portfolio, improving efficiency and enhancing the environmental performance of its products.

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