HC Deb 06 April 1960 vol 621 cc358-9
3. Mr. de Freitas

asked the Minister of Defence what requirements have been stated by the Services for the development of a short take-off or vertical takeoff engine suitable for a jet fighter.

Mr. Watkinson

The Services are greatly interested in the techniques of short take-off and vertical take-off. They do not, however, state requirements for engines separately.

Mr. de Freitas

What is the position of the Services regarding the development by Rolls Royce and M.A.N. of Germany of an engine stated to be expressly for fighters of this category?

Mr. Watkinson

The position is that Rolls Royce and M.A.N. are in a project together. Rolls Royce is developing its own v.t.o. engine and so is Bristol Siddeley Engines, Ltd. All these projects are of interest and are being closely studied. As to the vehicle in which they will be flown, the Hawker P.1127 is now in a fairly advanced stage of development and that will be our own vehicle on which some of these engines and techniques will be tested.