Rolls-Royce bags vertical take-off contract

1st May 2012 07:26

Engine developer Rolls-Royce has bagged a contract from fellow aeronautical engine developer Pratt and Whitney to supply the Rolls-Royce LiftSystem for 17 F-35B Lightning II aircraft.The contract is worth $315m to Rolls-Royce. Under the contract, Rolls-Royce will produce 17 LiftSystems for the fourth lot of Low-Rate Initial Production through 2012, with a further order for the fifth lot expected later in the year. To date, Rolls-Royce has delivered 32 LiftSystems, plus spare parts, in its role as a sub-contractor to Pratt & Whitney, which manufactures the F135 engine for the F-35 Lightning II programme. .Rolls-Royce is the only company in the world to produce the advanced technology that enables F-35B aircraft to perform Short Take Off and Vertical Landings. JH