New Order

Rolls-Royce PLC
8 June 2000


ROLLS-ROYCE TURBOMECA ENGINE SELECTED FOR NH90 HELICOPTERS IN GERMANY, FRANCE
AND HOLLAND

Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 engines have been selected to power up to 399
twin-engine NH90 helicopters for Germany, France and Holland. This order will
be worth around $1 billion to the European joint-venture company over the life
of the aircraft.

RTM322 engines will power up to 219 helicopters for Germany,160 for France and
20 for Holland. The German total comprises 134 firm orders and 85 expected
additional orders.  Engine components will be manufactured in each country,
with engines being finally assembled by Rolls-Royce Deutschland and by
Turbomeca in France.

Jean Bernard Cocheteux, Chairman of Rolls-Royce Turbomeca and CEO of Turbomeca
said:  'We are very pleased to have contributed to the success of the NH90
development programme over the last 8 years - and now to be at the heart of a
world-class European helicopter production programme. '

Stuart Mullan, President, Helicopters for Rolls-Royce, and a Director of
Rolls-Royce Turbomeca said:  'The RTM322 is the only engine family providing
the performance, power growth and handling qualities needed by all medium-lift
rotorcraft in the foreseeable future.' 

Dr. Klaus Nittinger, Chairman of Rolls-Royce Deutschland, added: 'It is a
particular point of pride to have won a challenging competition on merit, and
to have been selected by two nations which have reputations for demanding and
thorough procurement practices.'

NH90 is powered by two modern and versatile RTM322-01/9 turboshaft engines,
providing outstanding performance particularly in 'hot and high' climatic
conditions.  The engine also offers power growth potential for future, heavier
versions of the aircraft. 

Notes to Editors: Rolls-Royce Turbomeca is a 50/50 joint venture owned by
Rolls-Royce plc and Turbomeca of France. Since its formation in 1966, it has
developed and produced more than 2,600 Adour turbofan engines for the SEPECAT
Jaguar, BAE SYSTEMS Hawk and Mitsubishi T-2/F-1 fleets. In 1983, RRTM began
development of the RTM322, which entered service with the Royal Navy in Merlin
HM Mk1 in 1998 and the GKN Westland WAH-64 Apache in March 2000. 

The RTM322-02/8 engine will enter service with the Royal Air Force Merlin HC
Mk3 later this year.  The aircraft has been in service since 1998. 200
production engines have been delivered and are in service on EH101 and WAH-64
Apache in the UK Royal Navy and Army. Opportunities exist for the engine and
its growth variants both for these applications and new programmes.

Equipped with FADEC (Fully Automated Digital Engine Control), which reduces
power management responsibilities and workload for the pilot, the RTM322
increases mission effectiveness. The engine provides unmatched performance
throughout its life, and excellent resistance to corrosion and erosion, which
are key factors in NH90 missions. With its low repair and spares costs, life
cycle costs remain well below those of any engines currently available. 

Germany, Italy, France and the Netherlands formed the Nato Helicopter
Management Agency (NAEHMA) group in 1985 to oversee the design and development
of a new naval and tactical transport helicopter, NH90.

The RTM322 was selected in 1992 to power the NH90 development fleet and has
now been selected for the NH90's of Germany and France.

For further information please contact:

Gary Atkins                             Rolls-Royce
Phone: [phone]              email:[e-mail]