Heritage

1963

Dart and Spey engines entered service on F27/F28/YS-11 with the predecessor of Korean Air, KNA.

1972

Korean military’s airborne association was launched. Two Dart engine-powered HS748s were operated by the Republic of Korea Air Force as the presidential plane.

1975

• The first Norwinch and Bergen Diesel product order was made by a Korean shipbuilding company.
• The first Kamewa CPP (Controllable Pitch Propeller) contract in Korea was signed.

1980-82

• Samsung Techwin began engine repair and maintenance projects for Rolls-Royce. As of 2007, Samsung Techwin was in charge of maintenance of the Gem engine for the Lynx helicopter, T56 for the P-3C Orion, and Model 250 engine for the MD500 helicopter.
• The Bergen engine for vessels was delivered to Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering for Westfall – Odfjell tankers.

1987

The first Aquamaster was delivered to Korea. 1990 The Korean Navy acquired a fleet of 12 Gem-powered Lynx helicopters, and a second batch in 1999. All repair services in Korea were provided by Samsung Techwin.

1992

The Korean Air Force acquired a fleet of 20 (now 17) Adour-powered Hawk trainers. They were serviced at their Seosan base. 1993 Rolls-Royce held a symposium on the global aerospace market and technology, and demonstrated interest in development of Korea’s aerospace industry. It hosted a SBAC seminar on the theme ‘Together in Aerospace – Britain and Korea’.

1994

Rolls-Royce hosted a SBAC seminar on ‘Together in Aerospace – Britain and Korea’.

1995

Engines of the Korean Army’s and Navy’s MD500 helicopters, the Air Force’s C-130s, and the Navy’s P-3C Orions became subject to management by Rolls-Royce with its acquisition of the Allison Engine Company. All relevant maintenance services in Korea were provided by Samsung Techwin.

1996

Aerospace materials research was commenced based on a joint venture between the Korea-UK Research Center in Derby, England, and Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials and Korea Aerospace Research Institute.

1999

• Asiana Airlines began operating V2500-powered Airbus A321s. Rolls-Royce established ties with the Korean Navy’s marine association with the adoption of water jets and propellers by Kamewa of Sweden and Bird Johnson of the US, following the acquisition of Vickers.
• Former Vickers companies, long-established in Korea, such as Ulstein (Norway) and Aquamaster (Finland) supplied marine equipment and deck machinery to Korea’s shipbuilders and for export to Japanese shipbuilders.
• After acquisition of the Vickers Group, Rolls-Royce integrated all sales, marketing, and services of brand products that Korean companies were familiar with into one business. In 2000, it changed the company name to Rolls-Royce Marine Korea. In 2001, Rolls-Royce relocated its marine facility to Noksan State Industrial Complex in Busan. 2001 A contract was concluded with Samsung Techwin, making it the exclusive supplier of combustor module for Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine for Airbus A380.

2004

• Nine gas turbine generator sets were ordered for the Republic of Korea Navy’s KDX III destroyer program. An agreement was reached for Samsung Techwin to assemble them and for Hyundai Heavy Industries to produce the alternator.
• An internship program for Korean students was launched at Rolls-Royce headquarters.

2005

• The first issue of ‘The Force’, a Rolls-Royce newsletter in Korean, was published.
• An MOU was signed for joint technology research with Pusan National University and Busan Metropolitan City.
• Rolls-Royce participated in KORMARINE 2005.
• Rolls-Royce took part in Seoul Air Show 2005.
• The Korean Web site was launched.

2006

• Joint R&D efforts with Pusan National University were launched to develop ultra-efficient, ultra lightweight next-generation heat exchangers.
• Three gas turbine generator sets (AG9140RF) were delivered for the first time to the Republic of Korea Navy for the KDX III destroyer.
• An MOU was signed with DongHwa Entec, a heat exchanger manufacturer in Busan, to develop manufacturing technology for ultra-efficient, ultra lightweight next-generation heat exchangers.
• Construction of a washing and drying room was completed for sanitation, safety, and quality improvements at the Busan marine equipment plant.
• Rolls-Royce participated in the 15th Aero Technology Research Institute Symposium, organized by the Aero-Technology Research Institute.

2007

• Rolls-Royce participated in the 2007 Global TransporTech
• Rolls-Royce participated in KORMARINE 2007
• Rolls-Royce received the Excellent Supplier Award from Hyundai Heavy Industries.

2008

• Asia’s first University Technology Center (UTC) was established at Pusan National University for joint research of next-generation heat exchanger technology.
• An environment-friendly engine washing system was supplied to Asiana Airlines.
• A contract was concluded to supply Trent XWB to 30 Airbus A350 XWBs of Asiana Airlines.

2009

• Rolls-Royce participated in the Army Aviation Combat Development Seminar and Weapon System Presentation hosted by the Army Aviation School.
• Rolls-Royce participated in KORMARINE 2009.
• Rolls-Royce took part in Seoul ADEX 2009.