@oceancrosser
While there aren't any more A340s in the pipeline, the line is NOT closed, because it is also the A330 line - the two types have always been complementary and until the ETOPS criteria were relaxed, the 4-engined solution was essential for long sectors overwater or above sparsely-inhabited areas. How Boeing got the rules relaxed was at one time a source of comment and questions, but in any case the combined A330/A340 approach, with a near-common wing has proved its worth, with an incidental benefit in the KC version of the A330.
ADD: For whoever mentioned non-aviation gas turbines, RR has for years supplied industrial and marine gas turbines, from the Avon onwards and including the Spey and RB211. ISTR that the lighter Avon beat heavy "standard" industrial turbines from the US for Phase 2 of a massive pipeline from Siberia to Western Europe over 30 years ago, for example.
Last edited by Jig Peter; 12th Feb 2011 at 16:22.
Reason: Addendum