Aerospace

Rolls-Royce and Air China announce Joint Venture for new maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Beijing

A new 50/50 Joint Venture, MRO facility has been announced by Rolls-Royce and Air China in Beijing, China. The new facility, known as BAESL (Beijing Aviation Engine Services Company Limited), will offer MRO assistance for the Rolls-Royce Trent 700, Trent XWB-84, and Trent 1000 aero engines. All three engine types are currently present in the fleet of Air China.

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BAESL will be able to accommodate up to 250 shop visits annually when it reaches full capacity, which is anticipated to be reached in the middle of the 2030s. The facility will provide MRO services to Air China and our other airline clients based in Greater China and elsewhere. Currently, more than 550 aircraft are in service or on order with Rolls-Royce powering 60% of China’s wide body fleet. Our Trent 700 engines also power 90% of the nation’s Airbus A330 fleet, and the Greater China fleet accounts for 20% of all Trent engines currently in flight.

In order to strengthen our partnership with Air China, provide clients with the highest quality of service, increase our business’ cost-competitiveness, and create additional MRO capacity as shop visits increase, this JV is a crucial component of Rolls-China Royce’s strategy. By minimizing the overseas shipment of engines for MRO activities, it meets our sustainability goals by balancing in-region development with in-region capacity and providing customer proximity.

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Additionally, the new facility will help our capable, competitive, and adaptable global Care Network continue to grow. Our plan, which was presented at our Investor Day in May, calls for expanding our MRO network in a practical manner in order to serve our expanding fleet.

“The launch of this JV is a key milestone for Rolls-Royce in China, where we have been powering the country’s airlines for more than 50 years,” said Chris Cholerton, President – Civil Aerospace, Rolls-Royce.

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The president of Air China, Mr. Ma Chongxian, stated: “Air China has long been committed to strengthening its aircraft maintenance skills and assuring the reliability of the fleet, while also working to enhance the industrialization of aircraft maintenance.

Aerospace

Boeing Transfers Rocket Stage to NASA, Paving Way for Human Moon Mission

Image:Boeing

Boeing has achieved a significant milestone by providing NASA with the second core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.

This crucial component, crafted at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF), is set to propel the Artemis II crew into lunar orbit, marking humanity’s return to deep space after a 50-year hiatus.

The monumental Boeing-built rocket stage, the largest element of the Artemis II mission, will embark on a journey aboard the Pegasus barge, traveling 900 miles to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

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Upon arrival, it will be meticulously integrated with other essential Artemis II components, including the upper stage, solid rocket boosters, and NASA’s Orion spacecraft within the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building. This intricate integration process is a vital step toward the eagerly anticipated Artemis II launch, slated for 2025.

“Boeing-built products helped land humankind on the moon in 1969, and we’re proud to continue that legacy through the Artemis generation,” remarked Dave Dutcher, vice president and program manager for Boeing’s SLS program. “Together, with NASA and our industry partners and suppliers, we are building the world’s most capable rocket and paving the way to deep space through America’s rocket factory in New Orleans.”

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The delivery of Core Stage 2 marks a significant achievement in the evolution of the SLS rocket. Towering over 200 feet and powered by four RS-25 engines, this core stage, coupled with two solid-fueled booster rockets, will generate a staggering 8.8 million pounds of thrust. This immense power is crucial to launching Artemis II and future missions into the vast expanse of space.

The SLS rocket stands unparalleled in its capability to transport both crew and substantial cargo to the moon and beyond in a single launch. Its extraordinary capacity will facilitate the delivery of human-rated spacecraft, habitats, and scientific missions to destinations including the moon and Mars, ushering in a new era of space exploration.