The US Air force has awarded a $80m contract to Rolls-Royce for its AE 2100D3 spare engines and parts for the C-130J aircraft.

The AE 2100D3 is a lightweight, modular turboprop engine with 4,600shp for the Lockheed Martin military transport plane.

Under this contract, the engines will power C-130Js for the US Air Force, US Marine Corps, the Royal Norwegian Air Force and the Indian Air Force.

An initial 27 AE 2100D3 spare engines and parts will be delivered through 2011.