Thursday, 15 May 2014
Rolls-Royce today dispatched the first production Trent XWB that will power the Airbus A350 XWB’s entry into commercial service with Qatar Airways later this year.
The Trent XWB, the world’s most efficient aero engine and specifically designed for the A350 XWB, is the fastest-selling civil large engine ever, with more than 1,600 already sold to 40 customers.
Employees and guests gathered to wave the engine off on its journey to Toulouse, where it will later be fitted to the first A350 XWB aircraft to enter service.
Chris Young, Rolls-Royce, Trent XWB Programme Director, said: “This is an exciting moment for all of us, and marks the first of many Trent XWB deliveries for service. When we reach peak production in 2017 we will be delivering a Trent XWB every working day.”
Qatar Airways has ordered 80 of the aircraft (43 A350-900s and 37 A350-1000s).
The engine powered the A350 XWB’s first test flight in June 2013 from Toulouse, France. Since then the aircraft has carried out a variety of test flights, including high altitude testing in Bolivia, hot weather testing in Al Ain, UAE, and cold weather testing in Iqaluit, Canada. The engine also powered the A350 XWB’s visit to the Singapore Airshow in February 2014.
The Trent XWB is 16 per cent more efficient than the first-generation Trent engines that entered into service in 1995.
- Rolls-Royce’s vision is to create better power for a changing world via two main business segments, Aerospace and Marine & Industrial Power Systems (MIPS). These business segments address markets with two strong technology platforms, gas turbines and reciprocating engines, for use on land, at sea and in the air.
- Aerospace comprises Civil Aerospace and Defence Aerospace. MIPS comprises Marine, Energy & Nuclear and Power Systems (RRPS). On 7 March 2014, Daimler announced their intention to exercise their option to sell their 50% share in RRPS to Rolls-Royce Holdings plc. On 16 April 2014, Rolls-Royce and Daimler announced that they have agreed the valuation of Daimler’s 50% equity interest. The transaction is expected to complete within the coming months and is subject to the usual regulatory approvals.
- Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 120 countries, comprising more than 380 airlines and leasing customers, 160 armed forces, 4,000 marine customers, including 70 navies, and 1,600 energy and nuclear customers.
- Our business is focused on the 4Cs:
- Customer – placing the customer at the heart of our business
- Concentration – deciding where to grow and where not to
- Cost – continually looking to increase efficiency
- Cash – improving financial performance.
- Annual underlying revenue was £15.5 billion in 2013, around half of which came from the provision of aftermarket services. The firm and announced order book stood at £71.6 billion at 31 December 2013.
- In 2013, Rolls-Royce invested £1.1 billion on research and development. We also support a global network of 31 University Technology Centres, which position Rolls-Royce engineers with the forefront of scientific research.
- Rolls-Royce employs over 55,000 people in 45 countries. Over 17,000 of these are engineers.
- The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate recruitment and to further developing employee skills. In 2013 we employed 379 graduates and 288 apprentices through our worldwide training programmes.
For further information, please contact:
Bill O’Sullivan
Civil Aerospace Communications
Rolls-Royce plc
Tel: +44 1332 246162
Email: bill.osullivan@rolls-royce.com