Thu, Nov 19, 2009
F-35 STOVL Liftsystem Contract Is Second JSF Production Deal
For R-R
Rolls-Royce announced Tuesday it has signed a $171 million
contract with Pratt & Whitney to supply the Rolls-Royce
LiftSystem for a further 9 Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing
(STOVL) variant F-35B Lightning II aircraft. The deal is part of
the third lot of Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP).
This order is the second production contract for Rolls-Royce as
part of its involvement in the JSF program. The previous contract,
for LRIP 2 and signed in December 2008, was for $131 million.
The Rolls-Royce LiftSystem comprises a LiftFan, Roll Posts and 3
Bearing Swivel Module. Rolls-Royce will provide these through the
propulsion system prime contractor Pratt & Whitney, with module
deliveries having already commenced in July 2009 under the Long
Lead provision within the contract. The scope of the contract also
includes spare hardware, production investment and sustainment
planning.
Simon Henley, Director for New Product Introduction at
Rolls-Royce Defence Aerospace, said "This new contract, together
with the imminent first flight of the F-35 in STOVL mode, shows the
Rolls-Royce LiftSystem program is now generating real momentum and
that Rolls-Royce technology is helping to bring a step change in
air combat technology. As the LiftSystem program continues to gain
momentum on both sides of the Atlantic, we are looking forward to
supporting the flight trials with the LiftSystem engaged in the
F-35B at the Naval Air Station at Patuxent River."
Orders for the LiftSystem are expected to total over 600, with
leading customers including the US Marine Corps, The UK Armed
Forces and the Italian Navy. The F-35B variant is expected to
remain in service well after 2050.
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