Rolls-Royce (RR.) has agreed to acquire Siemens’ (Ger:SIE) eAircraft outfit, a pioneer of electric and hybrid-electric aerospace propulsion, as the engineer bids to play its part in a ‘third era’ of aviation powered by cleaner and quieter aircraft.
Rolls-Royce has previously worked with eAircraft, and Airbus, on the E-Fan X demonstrator project, which plans test flights in 2021*. The deal is expected to complete in late 2019 after an employee consultation process, and a fee has not yet been disclosed. The agreement was announced midway through the Paris Air Show, where aircraft electrification has been a dominant theme. Rolls-Royce will look to work with Siemens to help support national and international carbon emissions goals as part of the deal. “The electrification of flight is just one part of Rolls-Royce’s commitment to making aviation more sustainable,” said Paul Stein, Rolls-Royce chief technology officer, as the engineer continues to look for fuel efficiency improvements and more sustainable aviation fuels.
Rolls-Royce also announced that its Trent 7000 engines will be fitted to 16 new Airbus A330neo aircraft for Philippine-based low-cost airline Cebu Pacific. The engineer will also provide aftercare service.
