Rolls-Royce predicts resilient rotorcraft market

Rolls-Royce, which offers one of the broadest power ranges for helicopter turboshaft engines in the world, today forecast a market characterized by near-term softness followed by a resumption of growth. Over the ten year period total helicopter deliveries are predicted to be more than 15,000 units, a slight increase on the company’s market forecast in February 2008.

Ken Roberts, President of the Rolls-Royce Helicopter Engine business, said: “The projection of deliveries in the short-term shows that the industry will not escape the economic downturn, but will remain quite resilient overall. The market will exhibit strong demand by 2013, indicative of its underlying strength.”

The Rolls-Royce market forecast projects deliveries of more than 15,000 turbine helicopters, valued at around $130 billion for the airframes and around $12 billion for engines, during the ten year period ranging 2009-2018.

The civil unit market forecast has increased by five per cent compared to the previous year’s projection, primarily due to new entry-level turbine helicopters. The market units now stand at around 9,000 civil helicopters to be delivered during the ten year period, with an overall airframe value estimated to be about $26 billion and engine value around $4 billion.

“With the oil and gas industry, police, air ambulance and defense ministries all looking for new, purpose-built aircraft, the demand for and benefits of helicopter usage are clear,” said Roberts.

The Rolls-Royce market forecast also projects approximately 6,000 new military helicopter deliveries during the ten year period, with an airframe value of around $104 billion and installed engine value of around $8 billion.