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Rolls-Royce Shares 2001 Collier Trophy Win
-- And It's Becoming a Habit
When Rolls-Royce welcomed the news on Monday that it had been awarded
the 2001 Collier Trophy, it wasn't for the first or even the second
time. In fact, it had been preceded on no fewer than five occasions.
This time, however, it was for its development as a team member,
together with Pratt & Whitney, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman
and BAE Systems, of the integrated LiftFan flight-demonstration
program which confers STOVL capabilities to Lockheed Martin's F-35
Joint Strike Fighter.
The new propulsion system includes breakthroughs in thrust-to-lift
capability while achieving major increases in performance, efficiency
and safety,
Rolls-Royce was on the Collier Trophy winning teams in 1987, 1990,
1996, 1997 and 2000, latterly for its contribution to the success
of the Northrop Grumman Global Hawk UAV. Commenting on the award,
James Guyette, president and CEO of Rolls-Royce North America
said, "Winning the Collier Trophy is a tremendous achievement,
and Rolls-Royce is proud to have done so six times. The award
recognizes our commitments to advanced technology and innovative
solutions for aerospace."
At Asian Aerospace 2002 yesterday, Rolls CEO John Cheffins said
that the company was strongly placed for the future. "Decisions
we have taken over the past 10 years or so have put us in leading
positions in our major markets. They have also helped us face
the challenges of today's tough business environment."
"The integrated lift-fan propulsion system was up against
some tough competition for this award, and it gives me great pride
to know that our team has been so honored by our industry,"
said Pratt & Whitney president Louis Chenevert. "This
achievement would not have been possible without the visionary
leadership of the Joint Program Office, to establish the requirement
for one fighter that met the needs of the Air Force, Navy and
Marines," he said. "Their support was instrumental as
the industry team developed this break-through technology."
By John Fricker
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