AERALIS has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Rolls-Royce to meet the propulsion requirements for its proposed light jet trainer aircraft.

The company is looking to use the advances in Rolls-Royce propulsion system design for the pre-production aircraft and to integrate them digitally in the aircraft design process.

The aircraft can be reconfigured with different single and twin-engine modules and the MOU will explore how Rolls-Royce's propulsion system technology can be used across multiple AERALIS variant aircraft to meet different requirements.

"I'm delighted to see AERALIS and Rolls Royce partnering to develop advanced digital design methodologies and investigate future power systems options for the AERALIS modular aircraft design," says Air Commodore Jez Holmes, Head of the RAF's Rapid Capabilities Office. "This digital engineering and digital twinning approach could deliver considerable savings relative to traditional air system design, development and sustainment, and offer the opportunity for rapid capability adaptation. As such, the learning achieved could be broadly applicable across a broad range of acquisition programmes including the future combat air system."

Tristan Crawford, CEO of AERALIS comments: "We are delighted to announce our collaboration with such highly capable and respected partner in the industry. The fully integrated digital infrastructure that we will build alongside our aircraft is the first of its kind and we could not think of a better partner to be doing it with."