Rolls-Royce has begun testing the AE 1107F engine, the propulsion system selected to equip the prototypes of the long-range assault aircraft MV-75 Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) for the U.S. Army.
The information comes from the website UK Defence Journal. According to Candice Bineyard, Director of Business Development and Future Programs at Rolls-Royce Defense in the United States, the test campaign represents a key transition milestone.
“We continue working closely with the U.S. Army and our industry partners to deliver a state-of-the-art propulsion solution with proven, low-risk AE 1107F engines, as well as a fully integrated system design. The engine tests represent the next critical milestone to bring this groundbreaking capability to our armed forces.”
The tests are being conducted at the company’s campus in Indianapolis, its largest facility in the United States. Over the past decade, the plant has received more than US$ 1 billion in investments in technological improvements, facility upgrades, and testing capabilities.
According to the company, the AE 1107 engine tests are intended to support prototype aircraft for the MV-75 FLRAA, a next-generation platform designed to provide greater speed, range, and lethality for future U.S. Army aviation units.
Each MV-75 FLRAA is expected to be powered by two Rolls-Royce AE 1107F engines. According to Rolls-Royce, the engine was designed to deliver high power density, cyber-resilient control systems, and survivability features adapted to modern combat environments.
It is worth noting that the AE 1107 from Rolls-Royce is already in service with U.S. military branches. The engine currently powers several variants of the V-22 Osprey, operated by the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Air Force.
Now, the engine will play a key role in the development of the MV-75 FLRAA program, which is expected to replace parts of the Army’s current rotary-wing fleet with an aircraft designed for longer range and higher cruise speeds than conventional helicopters.
Photo: Bell. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
