UK JSF Decision

Rolls-Royce PLC 30 September 2002 30 September 2002 ROLLS-ROYCE CELEBRATES UK'S CHOICE OF STOVL Rolls-Royce plc, the company responsible for short take-off vertical landing (STOVL) technology for Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), today welcomed the UK's choice of the STOVL variant of JSF to fulfil its Future Joint Combat Aircraft requirement. The company anticipates a production revenue of approximately $3 billion from a successful UK/US JSF STOVL production programme. The current forecast requirement for JSF STOVL aircraft is for more than 750 for the UK, the US Marine Corps and a number of export customers. John Rose, Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce, said today: 'This is a very positive decision by the UK Government which opens up significant opportunities for Rolls-Royce and its many suppliers. Rolls-Royce is the only company capable of delivering this technology and the government's decision will enable us to demonstrate it in action. 'The JSF design embodies world-leading new technologies that will keep Rolls-Royce at the forefront of advanced propulsion development and maintain our leadership in this market.' In December 2001, Rolls-Royce signed a ten-year contract worth approximately $1 billion for the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase of the programme. This covers design and development work on the innovative LiftFan(TM), the roll posts, and the three bearing swivel module and nozzle system that together provide the STOVL capability for the JSF. During the Concept Demonstrator Phase, the STOVL system underwent rigorous testing and performed flawlessly, meeting all performance and operability requirements. The importance of the STOVL work was recognised by the aerospace industry when the Integrated LiftFanTM Propulsion System team, of which Rolls-Royce was obviously a key member, won the prestigious U.S. 2001 Collier Trophy for its work on JSF STOVL. Rolls-Royce involvement in JSF STOVL development is led and programme managed by its Bristol, UK site and strongly supported by its Indianapolis, U.S. facility, utilising the strengths of its global organisation. Approximately 1200 UK and US jobs in Rolls-Royce and the supply chain will be sustained by JSF during the development phase: during production that figure will almost treble. With its participation in JSF and its share in the EJ200 engine for the Eurofighter combat aircraft, Rolls-Royce has a leading position in two of the world's biggest fighter engine programmes. For further information please contact: Colin Duncan Rolls-Royce plc Tel: +44 (0) 20 7222 9020 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7227 9178 Email: colin.duncan@Rolls-Royce.com Web: www.Rolls-Royce.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
UK 100

Latest directors dealings