AE2100 engine

Rolls-Royce has secured a contract to expand support for the US Air Force’s (USAF) C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft fleet.

Under the terms of the $182.7m MissionCare contract, the company will provide sustainment services for the Rolls-Royce AE 2100 engines, nacelles and propellers installed on the USAF C-130J fleet.

Specific contract work includes logistics and programme management support, engineering services, spares and technical data support.

With the latest contract, the air force has increased its order for spares and spare parts, and also added Rolls-Royce field service representatives at two new air bases.

Rolls-Royce Defence Customer Services president Paul Craig said, "We continually seek new ways to deliver innovative and cost-effective support to the US Air Force and we are delighted to be expanding our services on their behalf."

Currently in the seventh option year, the MissionCare contract provides a variety of support for the fleet of C-130J aircraft, tailored to each military customer’s requirement.

"Specific contract work includes logistics and programme management support, engineering services, spares and technical data support."

Rolls-Royce has maintained more than 90% parts and fleet availability through proactive fleet management every year, simultaneously helping the air force to address its global combat deployments.

A derivative of the Allison AE 1107C-Liberty turboshaft engine, the Rolls-Royce AE 2100 engine is a two-shaft gas turbine with a 14-stage high pressure (HP) compressor, designed to power military transport, long-range maritime patrol and high-speed regional aircraft.

The engine’s military variant, AE 2100D3, is integrated with an advanced six-bladed Dowty propeller for use on the C-130J Hercules aircraft.

Rolls-Royce also supports the C-130J engine fleet through its new Defense Operations Center in Indianapolis, US, delivering 24/7 real-time engineering support for operators of an array of USAF and other military branches aircraft.


Image: The AE 2100 engine production at Rolls Roye’s facility in Indianapolis, US. Photo: © Rolls-Royce plc 2014.

Defence Technology