Jaguar Awaits Re-engine RFP As Bidders Spar
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report Jul13, 2010 PROGRAMS NEW DELHI — Rivals Honeywell and Rolls-Royce are trading public barbs as they await the delayed request for proposals to re-engine India’s fleet of 120 twin-engine Jaguar fighters, which have slowly become overweight and underpowered as a result of avionics and weapon systems upgrades. Honeywell says its F125IN engine enables 23% shorter high-hot takeoffs,17%-40% higher thrust and 36% greater fuel range than the Rolls-Royce engine currently powering the Jaguar. A fatigue analysis done by the Indian air force estimates the fleet could last another 25 years. Honeywell projects savings of $1.5 billion in lifecycle costs the life of the program with its engine, according to Pritam Bhavnani, recently appointed president for Honeywell Aerospace India. Comparing the F125 to the current Rolls-Royce Adour, Bhavnani says that Rolls-Royce “has yet to develop some aspects of the Adour Mk821... Our engine is a known one and been...