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Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Engine Selected For Helicopters in Germany, France and Holland

8 June 2000

Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Engine Selected For NH90 Helicopters in Germany, France and Holland

    LONDON - Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 engines have been selected to power 
up to 399 twin-engine NH90 helicopters for Germany, France and Holland.  This 
order will be worth around $1 billion dollars to the European joint-venture 
company over the life of the aircraft.

    RTM322 engines will power up to 219 helicopters for Germany, 160 for
France and 20 for Holland.  The German total comprises 134 firm orders and 85
expected additional orders.  Engine components will be manufactured in each
country, with engines being finally assembled by Rolls-Royce Deutschland and
by Turbomeca in France.

    Jean Bernard Cocheteux, Chairman of Rolls-Royce Turbomeca and CEO of
Turbomeca said: "We are very pleased to have contributed to the success of the
NH90 development programme over the last eight years -- and now to be at the
heart of a world-class European helicopter production programme."

    Stuart Mullan, President, Helicopters for Rolls-Royce, and a Director of
Rolls-Royce Turbomeca said: "The RTM322 is the only engine family providing
the performance, power growth and handling qualities needed by all medium-lift
rotorcraft in the foreseeable future."

    Dr. Klaus Nittinger, Chairman of Rolls-Royce Deutschland, added: "It is a
particular point of pride to have won a challenging competition on merit, and
to have been selected by two nations which have reputations for demanding and
thorough procurement practices."

    NH90 is powered by two modern and versatile RTM322-01/9 turboshaft
engines, providing outstanding performance particularly in "hot and high"
climatic conditions. The engine also offers power growth potential for future,
heavier versions of the aircraft.

    Notes to Editors:

    Rolls-Royce Turbomeca is a 50/50 joint venture owned by Rolls-Royce plc
and Turbomeca of France.  Since its formation in 1966, it has developed and
produced more than 2,600 Adour turbofan engines for the SEPECAT Jaguar, BAE
SYSTEMS Hawk and Mitsubishi T2/F-1 fleets.  In 1983, RRTM began development of
the RTM322, which entered service with the Royal Navy in Merlin HM Mk1 in 1998
and the GKN Westland WAH-64 Apache in March 2000.

    The RTM322-02/8 engine will enter service with the Royal Air Force Merlin
HC Mk3 later this year. The aircraft has been in service since 1998.  Two
hundred production engines have been delivered and are in service on EH101 and
WAH-64 Apache in the UK Royal Navy and Army.  Opportunities exist for the
engine and its growth variants both for these applications and new programmes.

    Equipped with FADEC (Fully Automated Digital Engine control), which
reduces power management responsibilities and workload for the pilot, the
RTM322 increases mission effectiveness. The engine provides unmatched
performance throughout its life, and excellent resistance to corrosion and
erosion, which are key factor in NH90 missions.  With its low repair and
spares costs, life cycle costs remain well below those of any engines
currently available.

    Germany, Italy, France and the Netherlands formed the Nato Helicopter
Management Agency (NAEHMA) group in 1985 to oversee the design and development
of a new naval and tactical transport helicopter, NH90.

    The RTM322 was selected in 1992 to power the NH90 development fleet and
has now been selected for the NH90's of Germany and France.