Rolls-Royce Supports Team America Rocketry Challenge; Helps Ensure Future of Aerospace

Rolls-Royce, a world leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, today commended the top 100 teams competing in the finals of the Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) taking place this weekend in The Plains, VA. TARC is the world’s largest annual national model rocket competition for secondary school students. It is sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and the National Association of Rocketry (NAR).

James M. Guyette, President & CEO, Rolls-Royce North America said: “Congratulations to those teams participating in the finals, as well as all those who competed in TARC over the past year. TARC is about ensuring the future of our great industry — about encouraging bright, talented, young people to consider a career in aerospace. We’re delighted to partner with AIA and NAR to support this competition.”

The competition began the year with 690 teams from 48 states and Washington DC — over 7,000 students — making it the largest model rocket contest in the world. Since then, local and regional competitions have narrowed the field and this weekend, the top 100 teams will face off in the finals. Each team is required to design, build and launch a model rocket capable of remaining aloft for exactly 45 seconds and returning its payload of one raw egg safely back to earth. The top ten finalists will share a prize pool totaling $60,000 in scholarships and other prizes. In addition to being a corporate partner of TARC, this year Rolls-Royce also provided support for finalist teams 5183 and 5184, both from the Great Commission Academy Homeschool Association in Indianapolis, IN. Indianapolis is home to the largest Rolls-Royce manufacturing facility in the US.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Rolls-Royce, world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, operates in four global markets – civil aerospace, defense aerospace, marine and energy. Annual sales total more than $13 billion, of which 53 per cent are services revenues.

2. The company has a broad customer base including 600 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces, more than 2,000 marine customers including 70 navies, and energy customers in 120 countries.

3. A major industry player in North America, the company employs nearly 8,000 people at more than 66 US locations in 26 states and seven sites in six Canadian provinces. Annual sales in North America exceed $3.5 billion and the company’s total U.S. investment is nearly $1 billion. U.S. interests hold 25 per cent of Rolls-Royce shares. More Rolls- Royce engines are built in the United States than anywhere else in the world.

4. In Civil Aerospace, engines manufactured by Rolls-Royce and its partners in North America include the AE 3007, the Williams-Rolls FJ44 and the (IAE) International Aero Engines AG V2500. Rolls-Royce is the world’s leading manufacturer of business jet engines, with 95% of these engines delivered to airframe manufacturers in the Americas. Rolls- Royce turboprops for civil aircraft are also built in North America, including the AE 2100 and Model 250. In addition, the company manufactures the Model 250 turboshaft, which powers 3,800 civil turbine helicopters in the region, four times that of the nearest competitor.

5. Rolls-Royce North America is a socially responsible corporate citizen and a good neighbor. The company and its employees actively support their local communities. In 2006, the organization contributed more than $1.1 million to philanthropic organizations and activities in the region.