Rolls-Royce has been awarded a contract to develop hypersonic propulsion systems for increased aircraft performance and capability.
The MOD’ procurement arm, Defence Equipment and Support, intends to place a circa 2-year, single sourced contract, of approximate value £10 million, for a UK programme to undertake design studies, research, development, analysis and experimentation relating to high-Mach advanced propulsion systems. The contract will be with Rolls-Royce Plc, (RR) and its technology partners, BAE Systems and Reaction Engines and will focus on enabling technologies for increased aircraft performance and capability.
Speaking at the 2019 Air and Space Power Conference, the UK’s Chief
of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, said:
“As part of the technologies being developed in parallel with Project
Tempest, I am delighted to reveal that in concert with Rolls-Royce,
Reaction Engines and BAE Systems, we are developing hypersonic
propulsion systems, which will be designed and tested over the next 2
years, paving the way for the UK to become a centre of excellence in
this technology and contribute to meeting future UK Defence needs.”
