Rolls-Royce shows strength on Land Sea and Air at DSEI

Rolls-Royce plc is displaying its proven global capability to provide power on land, sea and air at the DSEi exhibition this week.

Friday, 21 September 2001

The Rolls-Royce stand at this premier defence systems show (No 255) will feature the world's most advanced marine gas turbine, the WR-21, the Kamewa FF Series water jet that provides outstanding manoeuvrability at all speeds, and a controllable pitch propeller from the Kamewa Ulstein and Bird-Johnson product range. The RTM322 gas turbine engine that powers EH101 maritime and utility variants and the AH Mk1 UK Apache for the British armed forces.

Next door is the Vickers Defence Systems (VDS) stand (No 237), which is part of the Rolls-Royce group. It is showcasing future technology programmes for the MoD and export opportunities. Among key products on display are the RG-32M, Scout 2, Wasp and PIRANHA IV wheeled armoured vehicles, and one of the 1,300 trailer-mounted field mobile generators to be provided under the FEPS contract with the MoD.

Rolls-Royce has established leading positions in civil aerospace, defence, marine and energy markets. It is the global leader in marine power systems with a broad product range and full systems integration capability. Over 2,000 marine customers use Rolls-Royce propulsion, including more than 30 navies.

Its core gas turbine technology has created one of the world's broadest product ranges of aero engines, with 55,000 engines in service in over 150 countries, for customers including 160 armed forces.

Rolls-Royce has continued to pioneer gas turbine technology for aerospace, power generation and marine propulsion and is involved in major future programmes in these fields. These include the WR21 marine engine, leading edge water jet propulsion systems, the powerplants for Eurofighter Typhoon and Joint Strike Fighter combat aircraft, and the Trent aero and industrial engines.

Vickers Defence Systems specialises in the design, integration and supply of technologically-advanced land systems including the British Army main battle tank, Challenger 2, and a further version of this design for export markets, Challenger 2E. It also supplies a wide range of mine-protected wheeled vehicles, the BR90 tactical modular bridging system, and a comprehensive selection of sophisticated training aids and simulators.

It is a leading supplier to the UK Ministry of Defence, and is also a major exporter of land systems to overseas defence markets. Challenger 2 is in service in Oman and earlier main battle tanks and variants are in service across the globe. Working in conjunction with its South African affiliate, Vickers OMC, the company supplies a range of high-mobility wheeled armoured vehicles in service with the United Nations and in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Vickers Defence Systems is currently working on new wheeled vehicle programmes to meet the needs of both the UK and overseas defence markets.

Investment in technology programmes includes work on world-beating mine protection systems and work in partnership with the DERA research agency on Europe's first composite armour vehicle.

Earlier this year, the UK MoD placed contract with Vickers Defence Systems to provide the next generation of engineer tanks for the British Army. The TROJAN and TITAN vehicles will join a long list of land systems designed, integrated and produced by Vickers and in service with the British Army.