In a recent Voluntary Ex-Ante Transparency (VEAT) Notice released by the Ministry of Defence, it has been revealed that there is an intention to award Rolls Royce a significant service contract related to the A400M aircraft’s TP400 engine.
The notice describes the contract as “The provision of in-service support services at Maintenance Levels 1 and 2 for the TP400 engine on the A400M aircraft.”
The work, under the moniker “National Engine Support Contract 2.5,” is anticipated to be worth £10,600,000 and is set to be undertaken in Filton, Bristol.
Furthermore, the notice indicates: “The A400M Project Team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence, intends to place a 12 month contract with options totalling a further 12 months, for a possible total 24 month duration, for the provision of in-service support services at Maintenance Level 2 for the TP400 engine with Rolls Royce PLC.”
The VEAT Notice also provides the reasoning behind the Ministry of Defence’s intention to engage with Rolls Royce without initiating a standard Contract Notice.
They explained, “It is considered that this contract can be placed using the Negotiated Procedure without Prior Publication of a Contract Notice pursuant to Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the UK Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 for technical reasons.”
Among the cited requirements are a fully accredited TP400 Engine Uninstalled Test Facility and an EASA-certified Maintenance Level 2 Repair Facility for the TP400 engine.
Reinforcing the reason they intend to award Rolls Royce, the notice concludes: “Only Rolls Royce PLC have the required TP400 Engine Uninstalled Test Facility, unique TP400 engine Turn Over Stands, EASA certified Maintenance Level 2 Repair Facility and the associated technical know-how necessary to provide the in-service support services at Maintenance Level 2 for the TP400 Engine.”
Problem is that there have been very bad news in relation to newer aircraft engines including civilian engines. With commercial aircraft being grounded for months due to engine issues.
Of course in military side we have the issues with F-35 engines and the delays this makes for new versions.
For details search for this at Leehman with title:
Pontifications: Moonshot for engines for Next Boeing Airplane may have to wait.
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Any volunteers. Clearly, stealth has its disadvantages too!
US military asks for public’s help to find F-35 fighter jetPublished 48 minutes ago
LINK
Sensible and realistic way forward. Having worked alongside RR at Brize Norton on the in-service support and continuous airworthiness of the A400M, it only makes sense for the existing arrangement to continue going forward
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Let’s hope they are not using imported parts with fake quality control certificates!