First IPC Module Shipped for Trent XWB Engines

Tokyo, March 23, 2011 — Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. announced today that it has completed assembly of its first intermediate pressure compressor (IPC) module for the Trent XWB, Rolls-Royce’s state-of-the-art engine for passenger planes. This is the first IPC module to be completely assembled by KHI, with modules for earlier Trent XWB engines being completed by Rolls-Royce in Derby, U.K.

The Trent XWB with a thrust range from 75,000 to at least 93,000 pounds, which is the only engine available for the Airbus A350, is the newest addition to the Rolls-Royce Trent engine family. The Trent XWB will be used to power the new Airbus A350, which is currently under development by Airbus S.A.S., and Kawasaki has been participating in the development and production of the Trent XWB as a risk and revenue-sharing partner. Kawasaki is responsible for the production and assembly of the IPC module, and played a key role in its design and development in conjunction with Rolls-Royce. In March 2010, Kawasaki began shipping IPC components and has now completed the entire process, from parts manufacturing to assembly of the IPC module. The Trent XWB is the second model to follow the Trent 1000, for which Kawasaki participated in the design work and took responsibility for the production and assembly of the entire module.

As one of the eight main modules that constitute the engine, the IPC module has a diameter of about 1.5 m, a length of about 1.5 m and is comprised of approximately 4,000 components. The IPC module is a critical engine part and is fitted with an IPC rotor, which includes the IPC drum with eight titanium alloy discs welded together using electron beam welding, rotors and stators, an IPC case, and front-bearing housing.

The IPC module will be used in the flying test bed engine scheduled to fly later this year. Kawasaki will manufacture the modules for flight test engines and production engines hereafter. Airbus has already received over 550 orders for the aircraft from more than 30 airlines

The close working relationship between Kawasaki and Rolls-Royce dates back to 1959 when the two companies formed a technical alliance for the overhaul of the Orpheus jet engine. Since then, the partnership has expanded to encompass a wide range of areas including defense aircraft engines and commercial aircraft.

In the commercial aircraft field, Kawasaki has participated in engine development and production programs as a risk and revenue-sharing partner for Rolls-Royce’s RB211, as well as the Trent series of engines numbered 500, 700, 800, and 1000. Both Kawasaki and Rolls-Royce are working on the development and production of International Aero Engines’ V2500 engine.