MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Alliant Techsystems Inc., which makes ammunition, propulsion systems and aerospace supplies, on Wednesday said it received a contract worth more than $200 million to produce composite aft fan cases for Rolls-Royce's new Trent XWB engine.
The Trent XWB is the only engine currently available to power the new Airbus A350 XWB family of aircraft. Initial production of the fan cases will begin immediately.
Under the contract, Alliant becomes a partner on the Trent XWB program. Rolls-Royce has received orders for over 1,000 of the engines so far.
The first Alliant-made Trent XWB aft fan case is scheduled for delivery late this year. Initial ground testing of the Trent XWB is slated to begin in 2009 and a maiden flight on the new Airbus twinjet is scheduled for 2012.
Alliant shares fell 35 cents to $83.64 in morning trading.
