GKN Aerospace signs USD300m long term agreement with Rolls-Royce for Trent engine structures

GKN Aerospace has signed a 10 year long term agreement (LTA) with Rolls-Royce to supply items that, due the complexity of their manufacture, have historically been produced only by Rolls-Royce themselves. For the decade to 2020, GKN Aerospace will manufacture the tail bearing housing and high pressure/ intermediate pressure (HPIP) structures for the Trent 700 and Trent 1000.

Mike Beck, President and CEO, Engine Structures, GKN Aerospace comments: "The smooth and swift transition of the manufacture of these components to GKN Aerospace is testament to the ability of our team to work alongside - and share best practice with - our customer."

Deliveries of Trent 700 structures to Rolls-Royce are already underway. Trent 1000 manufacture commences in the second quarter of 2010. Production is taking place at GKN Aerospace's El Cajon facility in California, USA, an operation that offers world-leading electron beam welding and precision machining and fabrication expertise.

Beck continues: "GKN Aerospace has the size and strength to offer customers such as Rolls-Royce in-depth technological expertise combined with financial stability and strength. We are able to invest and work alongside our customers to support current and future programmes and opportunities for the long term."

This latest agreement exploits GKN Aerospace capabilities in the design and production of high performance metal alloy structures for the hot and cold section of the aero-engine. As part of a long established relationship with Rolls-Royce, GKN Aerospace supplies a wide variety of complex metal alloy structures for the range of Trent engines. For the Trent 700 this includes the front and rear fan case, fan cowl doors and FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) cover. For the Trent 1000, the Company supplies the rear fan case and inner core fairings and for the Trent XWB, the inner core fairings, thrust struts and blisks.