UK Government and Rolls-Royce Reach £2.5 Billion Aero-Engine R&D Agreement

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On October 28, the UK Government and aero-engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce reached a framework agreement on a joint research and development programme worth a total of £2.5 billion over 10 years, focusing on the development of next-generation civil and military aviation gas turbine technologies. The programme covers next-generation single-aisle airliner engines, engine technology demonstrators, and the development of R&D and testing capabilities within the UK, with costs shared between the government and the company.

Civil aviation R&D will focus on next-generation single-aisle airliner engines, advancing high-efficiency, low-emission gas turbine technology development and carrying out engine demonstrator projects. The scope of R&D includes novel engine architectures, advanced materials, electronic systems and related manufacturing technologies. Rolls-Royce plans to apply some of the results to the development of next-generation commercial aero-engine products.

The programme will also cover military aero-engine technology R&D and the development of testing capabilities. The technical directions identified by both parties include advanced manufacturing processes, robotics, artificial intelligence and aero-engine electronic systems, and will continue to sustain the UK's domestic engine development, testing and related engineering capabilities.

Under the cooperation framework agreed between the UK Government and Rolls-Royce, the R&D programme is expected to support around 3,300 existing jobs by the end of 2029, spanning engine engineering design, R&D testing, manufacturing and supply chain operations. The government will also work with the aviation industry, local bodies and UK suppliers to advance the related R&D and manufacturing work in the UK.

Subsequent government funding support will be subject to separate legal, economic, affordability and subsidy control reviews for each specific project, and will need to complete the applicable government approval procedures. Both parties still need to reach agreement on the specific terms of support.