Rolls-Royce delivers nearly 500 jet engines annually across multiple aviation sectors

During World War II, the company developed the Merlin engine—a liquid-cooled V-12 piston engine—which powered iconic aircraft like the Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane. Nearly 150,000 Merlin engines were produced from the early 1930s onward.

Rolls-Royce began producing jet engines in the late 1940s with the Welland turbojet after acquiring technology from Power Jets Ltd., founded by Frank Whittle. The Welland powered Britain’s first operational jet fighter, the Gloster Meteor. Subsequent innovations included axial-flow compressors with the Avon engine in the 1950s and turbofan technology with the Conway engine in the 1960s.

In recent decades, Rolls-Royce has continued to innovate with products like the RB211 series introduced in the early 1970s—a design that laid groundwork for today’s Trent family of turbofan engines. The Trent XWB powers modern widebody airliners such as the Airbus A350, while other variants serve different aircraft types.

The Trent family is recognized for its three-spool design allowing improved fuel efficiency and performance. Variants have been tailored for specific aircraft models since their introduction in the early 1990s. Technological advancements include upgraded materials and digital control systems aimed at enhancing performance and reducing emissions.

Beyond commercial aviation, Rolls-Royce produces BR700 series engines—introduced in the 1990s—for long-range business jets and regional planes. The Pearl series represents further evolution of this technology; these engines feature advanced fan designs and digital controls to improve range and efficiency for business jets like Bombardier Global Express or Gulfstream G700.

Through ongoing investment in research and development, Rolls-Royce maintains strong partnerships with major manufacturers across both civil and business aviation sectors.