Rolls-Royce and Turbomeca (SAFRAN Group) have extended Europe’s longest-running aerospace joint venture by renewing their collaboration on the market-leading RTM322 helicopter engine.
The RTM322 turboshaft engine powers the three-engine AgustaWestland EH101Merlin military helicopter, and two twin-engine military helicopters, the NHIndustries NH90 and the AgustaWestland WAH-64D Longbow Apache.
The RTM322 has been selected for over 90 per cent of the NH90 fleet and approximately 60 per cent of the current EH101 fleet. It powers all the British Army’s Apache helicopters.
So far, around 1,600 RTM322 engines, including orders and options, have been announced for NH90, WAH-64 Apache and EH101 helicopters.
Scott Crislip, Chairman of RRTM and President of Rolls-Royce Helicopters, said today: “The RTM322 is delivering real value to customers through its class-leading reliability, low through-life costs and ease of maintenance. By renewing the RRTM collaboration agreement, Rolls-Royce and Turbomeca are committing themselves to supporting the 13 nations that have selected the RTM322 to date, and to securing further success for the program.”
Emeric d’Arcimoles, Chairman and CEO of Turbomeca, added: “I am very happy with this second signature, which is a key step in the longstanding cooperation between Turbomeca and Rolls-Royce. I am proud to be the witness of such a historic moment, and I am sure that RRTM will continue its successful enterprise.“
The co-operation between Rolls-Royce and Turbomeca began in May 1965, with the agreement between the British and French governments to build the Jaguar fighter/trainer aircraft. In November 1965, the partnership was selected to supply the Adour engine for the Jaguar aircraft.
Rolls-Royce Turbomeca (RRTM) formally came into existence in May 1966, when a Co-operation Agreement was signed between the parent companies and RRTM Ltd. was founded one month later.
