Rolls-Royce Exe

Exe
TypePiston X-24 aero-engine
National originUnited Kingdom
ManufacturerRolls-Royce Limited
First runSeptember 1936
Major applicationsFairey Battle
Developed intoRolls-Royce Pennine

The Rolls-Royce Exe, or Boreas, was a 24-cylinder air-cooled X block sleeve valve aircraft engine intended primarily for the new Fairey Fleet Air Arm aircraft, particularly the Fairey Barracuda. The Exe was relatively powerful for its era, producing about 1,100 hp (820 kW). This is notable given the relatively small 1,300 cubic inches (22 L) displacement, the Merlin requiring 1,600 cubic inches (27 L) for approximately the same power level. The X-24 layout made this quite a compact engine.

The Exe was named after the River Exe, although Rolls-Royce later transferred the use of river names to its gas turbine engines.