Dépêches

Rolls-Royce Delivers First LiftFan from New Advanced Facility

Dépèche transmise le 2 novembre 2011 par Business Wire

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has delivered the first Rolls-Royce LiftFan™, for the F-35B Lightning II, to have been assembled at its new LiftFan Factory near Indianapolis, IN, US.

“Our new LiftFan Factory features state-of-the-art manufacturing technology, making it one of the most efficient Rolls-Royce facilities anywhere in the world. This purpose built facility will enable us to deliver even greater value for our customer.”

The new facility is dedicated to the LiftFan program and delivers world-leading production efficiency, by introducing state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques and innovative technologies. This will result in lower costs for the F-35B Lightning II Program.

The LiftFan is part of the Rolls-Royce LiftSystem® that provides Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) capability for the first aircraft in history to combine the technology with stealth and supersonic speed. This fifth-generation fighter will provide the US Marine Corps and other future customers with increased capability and the option to deploy from forward bases.

Neil Mehta, Rolls-Royce, LiftSystem Program Director, said: “Rolls-Royce has a proud heritage in vertical lift technology. The LiftSystem continues to build on that legacy. This new focused facility will enable us to deliver this unique capability to the customer while reducing cost.”

John Gallo, Rolls-Royce, Executive Vice President, Business Operations, said: “Our new LiftFan Factory features state-of-the-art manufacturing technology, making it one of the most efficient Rolls-Royce facilities anywhere in the world. This purpose built facility will enable us to deliver even greater value for our customer.”

The Rolls-Royce LiftSystem is the only propulsion system of its type in the world. The LiftSystem comprises a LiftFan, Roll Posts and 3 Bearing Swivel Module.

Notes to Editors:

1. Rolls-Royce is a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, and has established a strong position in global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy.

2. As a result of this strategy, Rolls-Royce has a broad customer base comprising more than 500 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces, more than 4,000 marine customers, including 70 navies, and energy customers in nearly 120 countries, with an installed base of 54,000 gas turbines.

3. Annual underlying revenues were £10.8 billion in 2010, of which more than half came from the provision of services. The firm and announced order book stood at £61.4 billion at 30 June 2011, providing visibility of future levels of activity.

4. Rolls-Royce employs over 39,000 skilled people in offices, manufacturing and service facilities in over 50 countries. Over 11,000 of these employees are engineers.

5. In 2010, Rolls-Royce invested £923 million on research and development, two thirds of which had the objective of further improving the environmental performance of its products, in particular reducing emissions.

6. Rolls-Royce supports a global network of 28 University Technology Centres, which connect the company’s engineers with the forefront of scientific research.

7. The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate recruitment and to further developing employee skills.