UK aerospace manufacturer
Rolls-Royce Controls and Data Services Limited provides safety critical controls and asset intelligence solutions[buzzword] for industrial power, marine, civil and military aerospace. It produces engine control software, electronic engine controls (EEC), fuel metering units (FMU), fuel pumps and engine actuators for a large number of common commercial and military aircraft.[1] Together these parts comprise the control system for a jet engine, responsible for delivering the correct amount of fuel and maintaining engine safety.
History
The company was originally part of Lucas Industries, responsible for producing fuel systems for aircraft. From 1938 the company produced fueling systems for Second World War aircraft.[2] In August 1996 the company was merged, along with the rest of Lucas Industries, with the North American Varity Corporation to form LucasVarity.[3] In 1999 LucasVarity was acquired by TRW for $6.6bn,[4] which sold the Lucas Aerospace section of the company to Goodrich Corporation for $1.5bn in 2002.[5]
In 2008 Rolls-Royce was the second largest producer of aircraft engines worldwide behind General Electric and ahead of Pratt & Whitney. As the focus for engine efficiency shifts towards sophisticated engine control techniques, Rolls-Royce found it could potentially fall behind its competitors as the only one of the three companies to outsource these key components. Rolls-Royce and the Goodrich Corporation saw an opportunity for partnership, combining the existing manufacturing capability of Goodrich with the expertise of Rolls-Royce.
The Rolls-Royce Goodrich engine controls joint venture was announced on 14 August 2008 and agreement between the two companies was made on 22 December 2008 to form 'Rolls-Royce Goodrich Engine Control Systems Limited' with the trading company name of Aero Engine Controls. In the formation of Aero Engine Controls both companies contributed over £14m in assets and cash to the joint venture, with Rolls-Royce making a cash payment to the Goodrich Corporation of $100m.[6]
Following the acquisition of Goodrich by United Technologies Corporation in July 2012, Rolls-Royce announced it would purchase Goodrich's 50% share of Aero Engine Controls.[7] The purchase was completed on 10 December 2012 and Aero Engine Controls became wholly owned by Rolls-Royce Plc and a part of the Rolls-Royce Group.
in 2014 Rolls-Royce announced the merger of two wholly owned subsidiaries, Aero Engine Controls (AEC) and Optimized Systems and Solutions (OSyS), to form a new business, Controls and Data Services (CDS) which would continue to operate as part of the Rolls-Royce Group. The new business would bring together equipment sensors, controls and monitoring systems with performance analysis and health management services, delivering greater asset intelligence at a faster pace.
Project involvement
Controls and Data Services provides to some of the world's most advanced and efficient engines, both for civil and military application.
Notable aircraft for which Controls and Data Services has provided its key components include but are not exclusive to:
Large civil
Regionals
Corporates (business jets)
Helicopters
Defence
Controls and Data Services provides main and afterburner systems and centrifugal pumping systems for modern military jet engines including:[12]
Investment
The company has moved its headquarter to a £75 million purpose built advanced manufacturing and technology facility in Birmingham Business Park. The new 250,000 sq ft building will incorporate technology, design, development, manufacturing and testing capabilities, with associated expansion space.[13] The destination of Controls and Data Services Metropolitan Borough of Solihull has an international reputation for engineering, home to companies such as Arup and Jaguar Land Rover.
