Rolls-Royce Completes $1 Billion Engine Site Upgrade

Rolls-Royce has completed a $1 billion upgrade to its manufacturing, assembly, and test center in Indiana. The company has modernized the manufacturing capability at its Indianapolis campus, as well as expanded test capabilities, including a new altitude test facility at the nearby West Lafayette site.

The main focus of what has been a decade-long investment program is to enhance Rolls-Royce propulsion contributions to key defense platforms, including the BR725-derivative turbofan being developed for the U.S. Air Force’s re-engined B-52 bomber and the AE 1107F turboshaft for the U.S. Army’s Bell MV-75 Cheyenne II tiltrotor. The company also makes engines for the current V-22 Osprey tiltrotor, as well as the U.S. Navy’s MQ-25 Stingray drone and the C-130J transport aircraft.

According to Rolls-Royce, the completed works represent the UK-based group’s largest investment to date in the U.S. The company directly employs 3,500 people in Indianapolis, with thousands more jobs forming part of its local supply chain in Indiana.

The Indianapolis campus also houses Rolls-Royce’s LibertyWorks advanced-research organization, which is focused on the development of high-temperature materials and propulsion systems. The manufacturer has committed $75 million to joint research and development work with Purdue University.