The Rolls-Royce RB.162 is a jet engine specifically designed to provide vertical thrust in VTOL aircraft. Its development program, based on the experiments of the first half of the 1950s, began in 1959 through a collaboration agreement between the governments of the United Kingdom, France and West Germany. Derived from the RB.108 engine of 1955, the prototype of the RB.162 was completed at the end of 1961 and various versions were obtained for development tests. Various flight tests were carried out with the prototypes of three new VTOL aircraft: the Dornier Do 31, the Dassault Mirage IIIV, and the VFW VAK 191B, characterized by different propulsion system and intended uses. To obtain the highest levels of lightness, simplicity and reliability, the designers experienced various innovative technical features, including primarily the use of composite materials and a considerable simplification of the engine layout, as well as, of the auxiliary systems. Despite positive results, no aircraft was mass-produced but the RB.162 engine, built in about 86 units, paved the way for the use of composite materials in aircraft engines.