Rolls-Royce to invest $400m in engine testing facilities in US

Rolls-Royce is investing $400m in a major modernisation of engine test facilities in Indiana, bringing total company investment in the US to nearly $1.5bn in the past decade.

New facilities in Indianapolis will upgrade full engine test capabilities, following a major modernisation of advanced manufacturing at the campus.

The Indianapolis facility will test engines for a variety of products, including the US Air Force B-52 strategic bomber fleet, after Rolls-Royce won a $2.6bn contract last fall to manufacture 650 engines for the iconic aircraft.

The total Indianapolis campus modernisation programme began with a previous $600m investment in new manufacturing facilities, upgraded equipment and advanced technology, which was completed in 2021.

The additional $400m investment in test facilities will further establish the Indianapolis site among the most advanced manufacturing campuses that Rolls-Royce operates anywhere in the world. Combined with a talented UAW workforce of 1,000 among more than 3,300 total employees, the Indianapolis site is highly efficient and competitive within the aerospace industry and other business areas in which the company operates.

Tom Bell, chairman and CEO, Rolls-Royce North America, said: “We are thrilled to expand our modern test capabilities and footprint in Indianapolis. We’re developing state-of-the-art facilities that will enhance our recent modernization project and create value for our customers with highly efficient and advanced manufacturing capabilities. Rolls-Royce North America is growing, modernizing, and leading the way across the US.”

Phil Burkholder, Rolls-Royce Defense, executive vice president – defence global assembly, manufacturing and test, said, “New testing facilities at our Indianapolis site will further enhance our Indiana advanced manufacturing operations. What we do here provides essential capability for the U.S. military and is also a vital part of the Indiana economy. We appreciate the public officials across federal, state and city governments who continue to support Rolls-Royce in the United States.”

The new Indianapolis test facilities will be built on the company’s Operations Campus near Tibbs Avenue and Raymond Street. The test cells, control rooms and other upgrades will be used to test the modern gas turbine engines manufactured on site, which power a variety of defence and commercial aircraft, ships and power systems in use around the world.

Rolls-Royce employs 5,000 people in facilities in 27 states and supports more than 52,000 American jobs through the supply chain.

www.rolls-royce.com