Volvo Aero and Rolls-Royce have entered into a risk and revenue sharing agreement for the Trent XWB engine for the Airbus A350XWB aircraft, under which Volvo Aero will develop and manufacture the intermediate compressor case, a key engine component.

Volvo Aero Corporation estimates the value of the contract to be approximately 40 billion SEK over 40 years.

"We're delighted to have reached this agreement with Rolls-Royce, not least because we know the success the A350 XWB has enjoyed since the aircraft was launched in 2006," says Olof Persson, President of Volvo Aero, commenting on the agreement.

The Trent XWB programme has already generated 362 firm aircraft orders.

"It also represents a major success for Volvo Aero's lightweight technology, since we managed to secure this contract in the face of intense competition from components based on conventional technologies. Last but not least, we are very pleased to sign this agreement with Rolls-Royce. Rolls-Royce and Volvo Aero have a long history together and this agreement will be an important part of a strong partner relationship for the future." he adds.

The Intermediate Compressor Case in the Trent XWB will be based on Volvo Aero's lightweight technologies, which are the result of, for example, several years of development within the European research program VITAL and also of the company's own research and development. Volvo Aero will participate as a partner in design, development, production and aftermarket in this engine project. Manufacturing will take place in Trollhättan, Sweden.

The A350XWB is scheduled to enter service in 2013.