Rolls-Royce engine marks 3 million C-130J flight hours

Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has completed three million engine flight hours of the AE 2100, which powers the C-130J. This milestone demonstrates the continued reliability, performance and durability which the AE 2100 offers the US Air Force and other customers. Rolls-Royce made the announcement at the annual Air Force Association Air & Space Conference, near Washington, DC.

Rolls-Royce has delivered 1,155 engines to Lockheed Martin for the C-130J since the AE 2100D3 model made its debut in 1996. The turboprop has enhanced the flight range, speed and payload of the four-engine C-130J. The engine features Dual Full Authority Digital Engine Control and has a power range from 3,600 to 4,700 shp.

The US Air Force has purchased 119 C-130Js to date.

Patricia O'Connell, Rolls-Royce, President, Customer Business Defence, stated: "Rolls-Royce focuses every day on meeting and exceeding the needs of our customers and we are proud that our hard work on the AE 2100D3 engine has delivered such strong results, with three million hours of flight time. The D3 model is part of the AE engine family, which has topped more than 48 million flight hours."

Lorraine Martin, Vice President C-130 Programs, Lockheed Martin, stated: "Probably the most common feedback we get from the operator community is that the C-130J has the power to do what it needs to do - the power to get onto austere runways in far away combat zones, and the power to get out of harm's way quickly. That power comes from Rolls-Royce engines."

C-130Js are engaged in operations in multiple combat theaters and are routinely deployed in support of both peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts. The C-130J is a proven airlifter that has been selected by 15 nations, with 233 aircraft delivered to date. The C-130J is a flexible, multimission aircraft that has been manufactured in multiple configurations to meet a wide range of operational needs.

When the AE 2100D3 made its debut 15 years ago, it marked a new era for Lockheed Martin and Rolls-Royce. Previous versions of the C-130 were powered by the Rolls-Royce T56, the world's most ubiquitous and proven turboprop. The USAF has more than 300 earlier models of the T56-powered aircraft in its fleet.

Source: Rolls-Royce