A330neo

Rolls-Royce and Hispano-Suiza (Safran) have agreed to form a joint venture, to produce accessory drive train transmissions (ADT) for civil aircraft engines.

The JV will bring together Hispano-Suiza’s expertise in design and production of ADT and Rolls-Royce experience in engine design and propulsion system integration.

Rolls-Royce structures and transmissions executive vice-president Norbert Arndt said: "With each parent company contributing its world-class skills to this joint venture, we have taken a major step forward in performance.

"The companies signed a memorandum of understanding for the joint venture."

"Our aim is to meet the requirements of our customers, both aircraft-makers and airlines, by giving them outstanding, cost-competitive products."

The companies signed a memorandum of understanding in July for the JV.

Planned to be headquartered at Hispano-Suiza’s Colombes site in Paris, the JV company will also operate at Rolls-Royce’s facilities in Derby, UK and Dahlewitz in Germany. It will cater to various civil aircraft, from business jets to wide-body commercial jets, including Airbus A330neo.

Rolls-Royce and Hispano-Suiza will build a production facility starting in 2015 with plans to begin operations by early 2017.

Hispano-Suiza chairman and CEO Hélène Moreau-Leroy said: "For both Rolls-Royce and Hispano-Suiza, the creation of this joint venture marks a major step towards the consolidation of our historical relationship within a long-term partnership, and enables us to stake out a position on new aircraft programmes."

Image: The joint venture will produce engine components for various civil aircraft, including Airbus A330neo. Photo: courtesy of Fixion / Airbus SAS.

Defence Technology