Rolls-Royce plc (LSE: RR.) is a British aircraft engine maker, and the second-largest in the world, behind GE Aviation. The company has related businesses in the defense aerospace, marine and energy markets.
Rolls-Royce was nationalized in 1971, by which time aircraft engines had long been the most significant part of the business. The automobile company was separated in 1973 and the present Rolls-Royce plc was re-privatized in 1987. Rolls-Royce is, through its defense aerospace division, the world’s 16th largest defense contractor. Defense aerospace sales accounted for 21% of group sales in 2005, civil aerospace 53%, marine 17% and energy 8%. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index