Rolls-Royce to develop hypersonic technology with UK MOD

Rolls-Royce to develop hypersonic technology with UK MOD:

18 July 2019: Rolls-Royce has received a contract to develop hypersonic propulsion systems for increased aircraft performance and capability.

The MOD' procurement arm, Defence Equipment and Support, aims to place a circa 2-year, single-sourced contract, for a UK programme to carry out design studies, development, research, analysis and experimentation relating to high-Mach advanced propulsion systems. The contract will be with Rolls-Royce Plc, (RR) and its technology partners, BAE Systems and Reaction Engines and will look into enabling technologies for better aircraft performance and capability.

UK's Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier said, "As part of the technologies being developed in parallel with Project Tempest, I am delighted to reveal that in concert with Rolls-Royce, Reaction Engines and BAE Systems, we are developing hypersonic propulsion systems, which will be designed and tested over the next 2 years, paving the way for the UK to become a centre of excellence in this technology and contribute to meeting future UK Defence needs."

"Rolls-Royce will work closely with the UK MOD and our partners BAE Systems and Reaction Engines to conduct and coordinate research into high Mach advanced propulsion systems," said Director of Business Development and Future Programmes, Alex Zino.