Rolls-Royce snags $900M contract

Defense contractor Rolls-Royce has signed a $900 million contract with Italian aircraft maker Alenia Aeronautica SpA to supply turboprop engines for nine years.

The AE2100D2 engine comes from a bread-and-butter line of military engines that the British company designs, develops and manufactures in Indianapolis.

The engine will be used on medium-size C-27 J Spartan cargo and troop planes. The contract guarantees Rolls-Royce will build 155 engines outfitted with propellers made by an outside supplier.

Alenia sells the planes to the United States and five European countries.

Rolls-Royce employs 4,300 people in Indianapolis.