Robinson Signs for 1,000 Rolls-Royce Engines

Rolls-Royce and Robinson Helicopter signed here at Heli-Expo a new 10-year agreement for purchase of at least 1,000 RR300 engines to power R66 helicopters. “They told me they don’t take Visa, so I’ll have to give them a check,” Kurt Robinson, president of Robinson Helicopter, said as he put pen to contract.

“We are thrilled to continue our long-standing relationship with Robinson Helicopter and secure the RR300 on their versatile R66 for the next decade,” said Jason Propes, Rolls-Royce, senior v-p, helicopters.

Robinson’s R66 has been powered exclusively by the Rolls-Royce RR300 since the helicopter entered service in 2010, and to date Rolls-Royce (Booth 3328) has supplied more than 800 of the turboshaft engines to the Torrance, Calif. company. Under the agreement, Robinson will purchase a minimum of 100 engines per year for the next 10 years. Financial details were not disclosed. No major engine enhancements are specified to occur over the contract term, but both parties expressed the expectation that improvements will be forthcoming as part of Rolls-Royce’s ongoing product development efforts. “It’s a long-term commitment to work together, ” said Robinson. “This shows our industry and our customers [that] Rolls-Royce and Robinson will be with you ten years from now.”