LONDON, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Rolls-Royce has signed a long-term agreement with U.S. aerospace company Lockheed Martin for 600 Super Hercules engines, the company said Wednesday.
The contract is worth up to $1 billion and calls for the partners to deliver approximately 600 engines to power future C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, designating the Rolls-Royce AE 2100 as the engine of choice for all variants of the C-130J to 2025. The engine agreement will service U.S. government and all international contract requirements for 2014- 2018, Rolls-Royce reported Wednesday.
Rolls-Royce President Defense Tom Bell said: "Lockheed Martin and Rolls-Royce have partnered for decades to produce thousands of the world's leading medium transport aircraft. Our new engine agreement secures that relationship for years to come, enabling operators to continue to enjoy the versatile, powerful and fuel efficient aircraft they have come to appreciate through 1 million flight hours and counting."
Lockheed Martin Vice President and General Manager of C-130 Programs George Shultz observed: "This agreement is a very important step in providing our customers the most affordable airlifter in the world. The C-130J Super Hercules has proven the 'value of the power' as the Rolls-Royce AE 2100 propulsion system allows the Super Hercules to perform any mission, anywhere, any time."
