Rolls-Royce signs Trent 600 agreement with Boeing

Rolls-Royce has signed an agreement with Boeing to offer the proposed Trent 600 engine on developments of Boeing 747 and 767 aircraft. The agreement is subject to launch conditions being met.

John Cheffins, Managing Director - Airlines, said: "The agreement extends a long and valued partnership with Boeing. Development of the Trent 600 will once again feature the use of Trent family technologies which allow us to take a cost-effective, low-risk route."

The Trent 600 is the fifth member of the Trent engine family to be announced by Rolls-Royce. It will cover a band of thrust from 68,000lb to 72,000lb and will offer an identical engine for the new 747 and 767 models.

With a 102 inch diameter fan utilising latest generation "swept" wide-chord blades, the Trent 600 will also incorporate a range of technologies drawn from its Trent family lineage.

Trent family background:

• The Trent 700 entered service on the Airbus Industrie A330 in 1995 and has won almost 40 per cent of the market on the twinjet.

• The Trent 800, which entered service in 1996, has a 44 per cent market share on the standard Boeing 777.

• The Trent 500, the only engine available on the ultra long-range Airbus A340-5001-600 airliners, begins commercial service in 2002.

• The Trent 900 is being offered on the high capacity A3XX, due to begin service in 2005.

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