By Pat Host |
10 years ago |
10/08/2013

Aircraft engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce has been awarded two contracts potentially worth a combined $496 million for support of the company’s T56 engines, according to a company statement.

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) awarded Rolls-Royce a six-year, $406 million contract to provide parts, plus field and engineering support, for approximately 1,000 C-130, P-3 and C-2 aircraft in service with the Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Control and international fleets. Rolls-Royce spokesman George McLaren said yesterday the contracts have already been signed and work could start at any time.

Rolls-Royce employees work on a T56 engine. Photo: Rolls-Royce.

Rolls-Royce also received a Navy contract worth potentially $90 million for engine repairs to E-2 aircraft, which are powered by two T-56-A-427 engines. The contract is a five-year deal, renewable annually, and is valued at $17 million for the first year. McLaren said each additional year, if exercised, would include a small increase in yearly value.

There are two variants of the E-2: the E-2C Hawkeye, the Navy’s all-weather, carrier-based tactical battle management airborne early warning command and control (C2) aircraft; and the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, which is currently in development. The E-2D features state-of-the-art radar with a two-generation leap in capability and upgraded aircraft systems that improve supportability and increase readiness, according to Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).

The E-2 is also capable of 360-degree automatic, single mode, simultaneous air and surface radar detection at low speeds over both water and land. The aircraft’s radar and identification friend or foe system can detect targets at ranges in excess of 300 nautical miles, according to prime integrator Northrop Grumman [NOC].

The T56 was developed for military transports, long-range maritime patrol and high speed regional aircraft. It is a turboprop, two-shaft gas engine with a 14-stage high pressure compressor driven by a two-stage high pressure turbine.