The Merlin transformed Rolls-Royce from a relatively small company into a major contender in aero propulsion. In parallel, it began the development of the aero gas turbine, pioneered by Sir Frank Whittle, which ushered in the jet age. The Welland engine entered service in the Gloster Meteor fighter in 1944 and gave the company the confidence to commit itself to the gas turbine, in which it had a technological lead. Jet power enabled the RAF to further push the boundaries of flight, and the partnership with Rolls-Royce continue to flourish as the Avon engine powered the Canberra and Hunter into service, while the Olympus first earned its spurs in the distinctive Avro Vulcan.
This pioneering spirit continued with the entry into service of the world’s first vertical take-off and landing aircraft, the Harrier – its Pegasus engine providing unmatched manoeuvrability for a fast jet fighter. Today, short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) performance has been taken to the next level in the RAF’s newest aircraft, the F-35 Lightning II, thanks to the Rolls-Royce LiftSystem ®.
Elsewhere, Rolls-Royce technology and innovation are enabling RAF operations around the globe, around the clock – delivering the power behind the combat, transport and patrol, and humanitarian missions of today, and training the pilots of tomorrow.
One hundred years after Rolls-Royce and the RAF’s first flight together, the partnership is continuing its rich tradition in setting new standards for innovation and operational excellence.