23rd Feb 2009 10:45
February 23, 2009 ROLLS-ROYCE AND BELL HELICOPTER SIGN MODEL 250 ENGINE AGREEMENT WORTH UP TO $400 MILLION
Rolls-Royce and Bell Helicopter have signed a ten-year agreement, valued at up to $400 million for the supply of Model 250 engines for Bell 206 and 407 helicopters. As part of this agreement, Model 250 engines will be delivered to Bell Helicopter through 2017.
Ken Roberts, President of Rolls-Royce Helicopter Engines, added: "We have delivered more than 18,000 Model 250 engines for use on single and twin-engine helicopters to Bell over the last decades. During those years, Bell and Rolls-Royce have worked together to keep Model 250-powered aircraft at the forefront of the helicopter industry through continued investment and the introduction of new technology. This new ten-year agreement is a commitment to build upon that valued and successful partnership."
Rolls-Royce and Bell Helicopter initiated their partnership in 1961 with the maiden flight of a Rolls-Royce turbine powered variant of the classic Bell 47.
The Model 250 family has a variety of types, including the 420-450 shp Series II turboshaft, the 420-450 shp Series II turboprop, the Model 250-K34 industrial engine, the military Model 250-C30R/3 and the 650-715 shp Series IV turboshaft. The latest Model 250-C47B turboshaft is a FADEC-equipped engine that produces 650 mechanical shaft horsepower (813 thermodynamic shp) at take-off.
NOTE TO EDITORS
1. Rolls-Royce is the world-leading producer of light turbine engines in the
helicopter market. The Model 250 line has produced 30,000 engines, more than half of which are still in service with approximately 4,500 operators in 150 nations. The Model 250 family has accumulated 194 million flight hours, providing an unmatched level of expertise in every conceivable operational condition.
2. The Model 250 is in full-rate production at the Rolls-Royce facilities in
Indianapolis, Indiana. Originally developed as a 250 shp turboshaft / turboprop family to meet the needs of the U.S. Army, the Model 250 family has evolved into one of the industry's most successful civil and military turbine engine product lines, with four generations of powerplants.
3. Rolls-Royce, a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use
on land, at sea and in the air, has established strong positions in its
four global markets - civil aerospace, defense aerospace, marine and
energy.
4. The company has a broad customer base including more than 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 nearly 120 countries. With facilities in 50 countries, Rolls-Royce employs 39,000 people worldwide and has businesses headquartered in the UK, US, Canada, Germany, Scandinavia and China. This global presence allows the Group to access long-term international growth opportunities with its technology, presence, partnerships and people.
5. Rolls-Royce continues to invest in core technologies, products, people and
capabilities with the objective of broadening and strengthening the product
portfolio, improving efficiency and enhancing the environmental performance
of its products.
6. In 2008, Rolls-Royce invested over £800 million on research and
development, two thirds of which had the objective of further improving the
environmental aspects of its products. The primary technology investment
area is aimed at reducing noise and emissions.
For further information, please contact:
Mark AlflattDirector of Financial CommunicationsTel: +44 (0)20 7227 [email protected] Louth-DaviesDirector of Corporate CommunicationsTel: +44 (0)20 7227 9232
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