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RNS Number : 5996C
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc
18 June 2019
18 June 2019
ROLLS-ROYCE ACCELERATES ELECTRIFICATION STRATEGY
WITH ACQUISITION OF SIEMENS' ELECTRIC AND HYBRID-ELECTRIC
AEROSPACE PROPULSION BUSINESS
Rolls-Royce has entered into an agreement to acquire the
electric and hybrid-electric aerospace propulsion activities of
Siemens (the eAircraft business) in a move that will accelerate the
delivery of our electrification strategy and boost our ambition to
play a major role in the 'third era' of aviation. The acquisition
is expected to complete late 2019, following a period of employee
consultation.
The eAircraft business, based in Germany and Hungary, employs
around 180 specialist electrical designers and engineers who have
been developing a range of all-electric and hybrid electric
propulsion solutions for the aerospace industry. The eAircraft team
are already known to Rolls-Royce as we have worked together on the
E-Fan X demonstrator project which, when flying, will demonstrate
hybrid electric propulsion at the scale required to power regional
aircraft.
Rob Watson, Director - Rolls-Royce Electrical, said:
"Electrification is set to have as dramatic an impact on aviation
as the replacement of piston engines by gas turbines. We are at the
dawn of the third era of aviation, which will bring a new class of
quieter and cleaner air transport to the skies."
"We have already made significant strides in realising our
strategy of 'championing electrification' and this move will
accelerate our ambitions in aerospace by adding vital skills and
technology to our portfolio. It brings us increased scale and
additional expertise as we develop a product range of hybrid power
and propulsion systems. I look forward to welcoming our new
colleagues into Rolls-Royce and working with them to pioneer new
technologies and solutions."
Paul Stein, Rolls-Royce Chief Technology Officer, added: "To
support the rising demand for air travel while achieving CO(2)
emissions targets, the aviation industry is developing increasingly
environmentally friendly technologies and practices. The
electrification of flight is just one part of Rolls-Royce's
commitment to making aviation more sustainable: we are continuing
to increase the fuel efficiency of our gas turbines; encouraging
the development of environmentally friendly and sustainable
aviation fuels; and pursuing the electrification of aviation."
"We believe that pure electric, or all-electric, propulsion will
power smaller aircraft in the foreseeable future, while larger
aircraft will rely upon hybrid electric solutions that combine
electrification with evolutions of the gas turbine. Additionally,
as our group technological portfolio becomes increasingly
electrical with the development of hybrid electric trains and
microgrids, the capabilities of this world-class team will be a
vital part of the future Rolls-Royce."
As part of this agreement, Rolls-Royce will look for
opportunities to work with Siemens as both companies recognise the
importance of helping to support national and international goals
of CO2 emission reductions for the benefit of society.
We have already made progress towards the electrification of
flight, with successful ground tests of a hybrid propulsion system
that can be used across a range of smaller transport platforms
including EVTOLs (hybrid electric vertical take-off and landing
vehicles), general aviation aircraft, and hybrid helicopters. These
tests are part of one of the world's most comprehensive hybrid
aerospace turbine engine development and integration programmes,
paving the way for experimental test flights in 2021.
The ground tests involved a Rolls-Royce M250 gas turbine - a
highly successful engine that has powered more than 170 varieties
of fixed-wing military, civilian aircraft and helicopters since its
introduction - operating in series hybrid configuration, where the
engine operates as a turbo-generator that charges an on-board
battery system; parallel hybrid where the aircraft's thrust is
supplied by a combination of the engine and the electrical system;
and turbo-electric mode where the engine operates as a pure
turbo-generator supplying electric power for thrust and any other
power needs on the aircraft.
Last year we unveiled an EVTOL concept, which could be powered
by such a hybrid system. We are also developing an all-electric
demonstrator aircraft, as part of the ACCEL initiative that will
attempt to break the world speed record for all-electric
flight.
About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc
1. Rolls-Royce pioneers cutting-edge technologies that deliver
clean, safe and competitive solutions to meet our planet's vital
power needs.
2. Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 150 countries,
comprising more than 400 airlines and leasing customers, 160 armed
forces, 70 navies, and more than 5,000 power and nuclear
customers.
3. Annual underlying revenue was GBP15 billion in 2018, around
half of which came from the provision of aftermarket services.
4. In 2018, Rolls-Royce invested GBP1.4 billion on research and
development. We also support a global network of 29 University
Technology Centres, which position Rolls-Royce engineers at the
forefront of scientific research.
5. The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate
recruitment and to further developing employee skills.
For further information, please contact:
Jennifer Ramsey
Head of Investor Relations
Tel +44 (0) 7825 903206
jennifer.ramsey@rolls-royce.com
Sarah Jones
Head of Campaigns - External Communications
Rolls-Royce plc
Tel: +44 (0) 7968 906469
sarah.jones2@rolls-royce.com
Richard Wray
Director of External Communications & Brand
Rolls-Royce plc
M +44 (0) 7810 850055
richard.wray@rolls-royce.com
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END
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