ROLLS-ROYCE HOLDINGS PLC Rolls-Royce has opened its new advanced LiftWorks repair facility for fighter jet propulsion components in Plainfield, IN, near the company's facilities in Indianapolis, US.
Rolls-Royce will repair and overhaul components for the Roll-Royce LiftSystem® for F-35 Lightning II aircraft, the most advanced fighter jets in the world. The LiftSystem provides the vertical-lift capability for the F-35B, which is flown by US Marine Corps and UK pilots.
The new LiftWorks facility represents a total investment of more than $10 million from Rolls-Royce and the Marine Corps, and will employ approximately 40 people as workload increases. LiftWorks is adjacent to the Rolls-Royce LiftSystem Factory in Plainfield, where new components are assembled for F-35 aircraft. Rolls-Royce also tests LiftFans, the primary component of the LiftSystem, at its Indianapolis facility.
Rolls-Royce is the only company in the world that produces vertical lift technology for fighter aircraft. The Rolls-Royce LiftSystem is comprised of a LiftFan, 3-Bearing Swivel Module, a roll post under each wing, and a shaft connected to the aircraft's Pratt & Whitney F135 engine.
F-35 pilots say the LiftSystem has proven to be extremely stable and dependable in flight, with superior aircraft software controls making it easy to operate.
Tom Bell, Rolls-Royce, President - Defense, said, "This new LiftWorks facility represents a significant investment in the F-35 program and in the Indianapolis area by Rolls-Royce. We continue to focus on technology, while increasing efficiency and reducing costs for the F-35 program. The synergy from having our LiftSystem production, repair and test facilities in close proximity will help achieve significant savings, as we apply our decades of experience and knowledge in aftermarket support for our customers. We have the capacity to grow our operations at this facility as the F-35 program ramps up in future years."
Rolls-Royce has been working to reduce costs for the F-35 program through 150 affordability initiatives, investing more than $85 million to support the F-35 program in recent years. Rolls-Royce has also been assisting the Marine Corps as it prepares to declare Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for its F-35B aircraft later this year. Rolls-Royce recently delivered the 50th LiftFan, which meets all IOC requirements for the Marine Corps.
Rolls-Royce has led the aerospace industry in Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) technology since 1954, when the company first tested the "Flying Bedstead" technology demonstrator.
Rolls-Royce also continues to expand support for the F-35 program, with field service representatives collaborating with aircraft maintainers at military bases across the US.
- Rolls-Royce's vision is to create better power for a changing world via two main business divisions, Aerospace and Land & Sea. These business divisions address markets with two strong technology platforms, gas turbines and reciprocating engines. Aerospace comprises Civil Aerospace and Defense Aerospace. Land & Sea comprises Marine, Nuclear and Power Systems.
- Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 120 countries, comprising more than 380 airlines and leasing customers, 160 armed forces, 4,000 marine customers including 70 navies, and more than 5,000 power and nuclear customers.
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Our business is focused on the 4Cs:
- Customer - placing the customer at the heart of our business
- Concentration - deciding where to grow and where not to
- Cost - continually looking to increase efficiency
- Cash - improving financial performance.
- Annual underlying revenue was $23.36 billion* in 2014, around half of which came from the provision of aftermarket services. The firm and announced order book stood at $117.92 billion* at the end of 2014.
- In 2014, Rolls-Royce invested $1.92 billion* on research and development. We also support a global network of 31 University Technology Centers, which position Rolls-Royce engineers at the forefront of scientific research.
- Rolls-Royce employs over 54,000 people in more than 50 countries. Over 15,500 of these are engineers.
- The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate recruitment and to further developing employee skills. In 2014 we employed 354 graduates and 357 apprentices through our worldwide training programs. Globally we have over 1,000 Rolls-Royce STEM ambassadors who are actively involved in education programs and activities; we have set ourselves a target to reach 6 million people through our STEM outreach activities by 2020.
*Based on an exchange rate of $1.60
For further information please contact:
Nick Britton
Rolls-Royce Communications
E: nick.britton@rolls-royce.com
Tel: +44 7870 242620 (UK)
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