Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine

ATK has secured a life-of-type contract from Rolls-Royce UK to produce aft fan composite cases for the new Trent XWB-97 engine, which is designed to power the Airbus A350-1000 aircraft.

The contract, valued at more than $50m, has the potential to grow to more than $200m.

It expands ATK’s portfolio of composite components, which includes fan containment and structural cases for commercial aircraft engines, stringers and frames for commercial aircraft fuselages and wing stiffeners among others.

Initial production of the Trent XWB-97 aft fan cases will take place at ATK’s Aircraft Commercial Center of Excellence (ACCE) facility in Clearfield, Utah.

The first ATK-fabricated Trent XWB-97 aft fan case is scheduled to be delivered in late-2013.

ATK has been providing aft fan cases for the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 engines since 2009.

ATK Aerospace Structures division vice-president and general manager Joy de Lisser said: "We are proud partners with Rolls-Royce on the Trent XWB engine and look forward to a sustained long-term future together supporting the A350 programme."

"The first ATK-fabricated Trent XWB-97 aft fan case is scheduled to be delivered in late-2013."

"Our demonstrated success in composite fabrication technology provides our customers with quality products in this competitive industry."

ATK stated that its patented composites processing technology substantially lowers fabrication costs, while improving the quality of the final product.

The technology allows ATK to manufacture composite production parts that meet Rolls-Royce’s standards of quality excellence, product robustness, efficiency and reduced lifecycle costs.

ATK is an aerospace, defence, and commercial products manufacturer with operations in 22 US states, Puerto Rico and globally.

Image: ATK is expected to deliver the first Trent XWB-97 aft fan case in late 2013. Photo: courtesy of PRNewsFoto/ATK.

Defence Technology