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The Airframer Bulletin

Rolls-Royce plc Defence Aerospace
All news ✕ Clear ‹ Current edition

Every Bulletin story and press release covering Rolls-Royce plc Defence Aerospace, newest first.

31 items

2026
20 July

ReleaseMGI Engineering announces high-speed autonomous collaborative combat aircraft, MGI T-022 Vortex

20 July

ReleaseThe Consortium for the GCAP Power and Propulsion System progresses towards ground-testing engine demonstrator

21 May If the prototype phase proves successful, the MOD aims to field an operational version of the system by 2030.

Army gives Apache drone wingman programme £10m backing

Autonomous systems are being developed to support Apache crews with reconnaissance and electronic warfare missions without direct pilot control.

2025
15 May

ReleaseOrpheus programme hits major milestone

13 February Recycled material from the Tornado has been used to produce new compressor blades and a nose cone for the Orpheus engine.

Rolls-Royce recycles Tornado parts for 3D-printed components

The Tornado 2 Tempest project has successfully converted surplus military components into powdered metal for additive manufacturing in the UK’s Future Combat Air System.

2024
15 August Reaction Engines’ innovative precooler has been integrated and close-coupled with a modified Rolls-Royce jet engine to simulate a propulsion system for an unpiloted, reusable high-Mach air vehicle concept.

Reaction Engines achieves hypersonic propulsion milestone

Hardware is being manufactured for a full-scale ground-based high-Mach thermomechanical test, while sub-scale aerodynamic wind-tunnel testing is already being undertaken to assess intake performance.

2022
14 December Conceptual images of the next-generation fighter.

UK, Italy and Japan combine for future fighter development

The programme will build on progress already made by BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, MBDA UK, Rolls-Royce and the UK Ministry of Defence as Team Tempest, as well as MHI's proposed future fighter aircraft (F-X).

18 July

ReleaseRolls-Royce unveils radical new approach to gas turbine development with Orpheus demonstrator at Farnborough International Air Show

2021
22 December Rolls-Royce and IHI Corporation will jointly develop a future fighter engine demonstrator.

Rolls Royce pairs with Japan's IHI for future fighter

Work on the joint engine demonstrator will kickstart early next year, with the UK investing an initial £30 million in planning, digital designs and innovative manufacturing developments.

28 October The GKN Aerospace aviation forum focused on a sustainable future of flight, the path to net zero emissions and the workforce of the future.

GKN celebrates technology centre opening

GKN Aerospace's Global Technology Centre will focus on sustainable aviation research and development. At full capacity the collaboration centre will host 300 engineers.

16 September The aircraft can be reconfigured with different single and twin-engine modules, and the MOU will explore how Rolls-Royce's propulsion system technology can be utilised across multiple AERALIS variant aircraft to meet different operational requirements.

AERALIS selects Rolls-Royce for jet trainer engine

Using Rolls-Royce Defence's family of small propulsion systems will provide power for a pre-production prototype, as well as establishing a digital design pathway.

4 August The Ministry of Defence contract officially marks the start of the Tempest programme’s concept and assessment phase.

BAE gains contract to progress with Tempest design

Tempest will pioneer cutting-edge technologies, including those assisted by AI, machine learning and autonomous systems to meet the challenges of future conflicts, and be operational in the mid-2030s.

28 July The generator will form part of the Power Generation System 1 (PGS1) demonstrator programme, for future regional aircraft.

Hybrid power system arrives for testing in Bristol

Rolls-Royce has already tested the AE2100 engine element, specialist controls and thermal management system at Testbed 108. Now the PGS1 hybrid-electric system will come under scrutiny there.

3 June

ReleaseRolls-Royce starts testing most powerful hybrid-electric propulsion system in aerospace

25 May

ReleaseNew findings reveal future combat air programme Tempest is poised to drive productivity, innovation and skills development right across the UK

29 March

ReleaseRolls-Royce reaches new milestone as world's largest aero-engine build starts

2020
11 November

ReleaseEUROJET signs contract with NETMA for provision of 56 new EJ200 engines for the German Air Force

15 October

ReleaseLatest UK technology revealed for a ground-breaking combat aircraft due in service by 2035

21 August

ReleaseReaction Engines and Rolls-Royce announce new strategic partnership agreement

9 January

ReleaseRolls-Royce develops world-first electrical technology for next-generation Tempest programme

2019
12 November

ReleaseAirbus and its partners unveil details of new Eurofighter ECR concept

11 September

ReleaseUK and Italian industry to partner on Tempest

17 July

ReleaseRolls-Royce to develop hypersonic technology with UK MOD

2017
8 May

ReleaseRolls-Royce and Kale Group create defence aero engine joint venture

2014
31 January

ReleaseRolls-Royce and Snecma welcome continuation of joint combat engine studies

2011
4 December

ReleaseGE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team to discontinue self-funded development of the F136 engine

2010
13 July

ReleaseTITAL GmbH established as supplier for engine manufacturer

11 January

ReleasePratt & Whitney F135 engine powers F-35 historic first in flight STOVL conversion

2009
13 November

ReleaseThe UK's largest fully-autonomous unmanned aircraft completes initial flight trials

2008
15 December

ReleaseRolls-Royce signs $131 million F-35 STOVL Liftsystem contract

13 June

ReleasePratt & Whitney's F135 powers first F-35B Lightning II STOVL flight test