Rolls-Royce invests in UK military engine support capability

Rolls-Royce has announced an £18m investment in Bristol, UK, to support the TP400 engine. The TP400, produced by the Europrop International engine consortium in which Rolls-Royce is a senior partner, powers the Airbus A400M military transport aircraft which has just entered service with the UK’s Royal Air Force (RAF). The investment will fund the provision of facilities to perform maintenance, repair, and overhaul of the TP400 engines, training for employees, and the conversion of an existing test-bed to be capable of running the engine while on the ground. This will initially be used to support engines in service with the RAF, but will also be available to support service requirements for other A400M customers. Paul Craig, Rolls-Royce President Customer Service – Defence, said: “This is great news for both our customers and the Bristol site. This new capability will enable us to ensure that the RAF enjoys the same high level of engine support for its latest aircraft as it does for the other Rolls-Royce powered aircraft in its fleet. It also ensures that we can maintain military test capability at Bristol into the future.