§ 23. Mr. PageTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in selecting the RTM322 helicopter engine.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkA competition for the supply of more powerful engines for the EH101 helicopter was run by the Ministry of Defence last year. It was won by the Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 engine, which beat the rival General Electric CT7 series engine on both cost and technical grounds.
Exceptionally, the competition was run in advance of an established requirement for a more powerful engine in the EH101, in recognition of Rolls-Royce Turbomeca's desire for an early decision. Work to define the production standard of the aircraft (including its power requirement) is well in hand and will be completed shortly. A decision in respect of the engine contract will be made as soon as possible thereafter.