$30m Share in Italian C-27J Spartan Order

Rolls-Royce PLC
30 November 1999


ROLLS-ROYCE TAKES $30M SHARE IN ITALIAN C-27J SPARTAN ORDER

Rolls-Royce plc, the aerospace, defence, marine and energy company announced
today that the Italian Air Force's intention to procure 12 C-27J Spartan
medium tactical airlifters will be worth up to $30 million in new engine
business.  Aircraft deliveries will begin in 2001.

Two Rolls-Royce AE 2100D2 turboprop engines power the C-27J, which flew for
the first time in September.  It will replace the G.222 aircraft currently in
the Italian Air Force fleet and is being developed by Lockheed Martin Alenia
Tactical Transport Systems (LMATTS), a jointly-owned company between Lockheed
Martin and Alenia Aerospazio.

Richard B. Lewis II, President, Defense-North America for Rolls-Royce, said: 
'We are extremely pleased to have the Italian Air Force as the first customer
to choose the AE 2100D2-powered C-27J, and are excited about the worldwide
market potential of this engine and airframe.  The Spartan represents the best
value today in the light to medium tactical airlift market.' 

The C-27J is an upgrade of Alenia's existing C-27A (G.222) aircraft and
incorporates the advanced systems technology developed for the C-130J
Hercules.  The Spartan provides increased range (60 per cent), cruise ceiling
(30 per cent) and reduced operating costs (30per cent) compared to the C-27A,
with a good percentage of these improvements provided by its Rolls-Royce
AE 2100D2 propulsion system. 

The AE 2100D2 engine and propeller gearbox share many of the same components
as the Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3, which powers Lockheed Martin's 
C-130J.  Both the AE 2100D2 and AE 2100D3 engines provide 4,591 propeller
shaft horsepower flat rated to 103 degrees F.  A commercial variant, the AE
2100A, has logged over 760,000 flight hours on the Saab 2000 regional
aircraft. 

The Rolls-Royce Allison AE 2100 turboprop engine is the sole powerplant for
both the C-27J and C-130J.  To date, Lockheed Martin has received orders for
83 C-130J aircraft, including 18 by the Italian Air Force.  The Australian,
Greek and Swiss air forces are currently evaluating the Spartan.  Malaysia and
Poland have also expressed interest.



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