Rolls-Royce expands small engine family with introduction of RR500 turboshaft

Rolls-Royce today announced its sixth new civil engine program in less than three years with the introduction of a new turboshaft engine, the RR500TS. This is a further step in the Group's strategy of creating new market opportunities by expanding its portfolio of engines, already one of the most extensive in the aerospace industry.

The 500 shaft horsepower (shp) RR500TS shares a high degree of commonality with the RR500 turboprop which was unveiled at EAA AirVenture in 2008. In addition to offering more power at take-off and in hot-and-high conditions than existing engines in this class, the RR500TS will deliver operational benefits to users through extended engine overhaul intervals and lower total ownership costs.

The RR500 core is a scaled version of the RR300, which was launched in 2007 to power the Robinson R66. The RR300 was certified in late 2007 and is now in production.

Ken Roberts, Rolls-Royce President of the Helicopter Engine business, said: "The RR500TS is another example of how Rolls-Royce invests in core technologies that can be used multiple times across a family of engines. The RR500TS is an important step forward for the Helicopter business and broadens our product offering to meet emerging customer needs."

A newly-commissioned small engine assembly line at the Rolls-Royce facility in Indianapolis, Indiana was certified by the Federal Aviation Administration early in 2008 and is assembling and testing RR300 engines. This state-of-the-art production line is capable of being used simultaneously for assembly and test of the RR500.

Providing power from 300 shp to 7300 shp, Rolls-Royce has one of the broadest ranges of turboshaft engine families available in the world. Rolls-Royce helicopter engines power over 150 civil and military applications in more than 120 nations.