Rolls-Royce’s new $10 million repair and component overhaul facility for the vertical lift capability of the F-35B is open and gearing up in Plainfield, Ind., near other company facilities in Indianapolis, a company official said.
The Rolls-Royce LiftSystem, providing vertical lift technology for the fighter, 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 [UTX] F135 engine.
The new plant, which will employ 40, is a joint investment by Rolls-Royce and the Marines, said Tom Hartmann, senior vice president for customer business at a media teleconference March 2.
The unique repair and manufacturing facility supports the F-35B, and its LiftSystem(TM) for the jets’ vertical lift capability for Marine and United Kingdom pilots.
LiftWorks is located just outside Indianapolis, adjacent to the LiftSystem factory, and six miles from the lift fan test cell.
Rolls-Royce also is moving 3-Bearing Swivel Module work from the United Kingdom to the LiftWorks plant, as part of 18 months of lift system management efforts. Some subcomponent work will continue to be made in the United Kingdom, as are some lift fan components.
Rolls-Royce Defense President Tom Bell said, “…the synergy from having our LiftSystem production, repair and test facilities in close proximity will help achieve significant savings…”
Photo: Rolls-Royce
Hartmann said with the different facilities close by, it “allows us to make our work very efficient (and), it allows us to share engineering expertise and facilities.”
LiftWorks also is sized with future growth in mind, he said.
Rolls-Royce is now is working to be ready as Marines move to Initial Operating Capability (IOC) with the F-35B later this year. “We want to be ready to support them fully when they go into operation.
Right now, the company is delivering all hardware to the IOC standard, so it is ready and capable for the new mission, Hartmann said. They also are updating non-IOC standards on earlier jets.
Rolls-Royce just delivered the 50th lift fan, with No. 51 in test and No. 52 in production. “Everything we’re delivering now meets IOC standards as of No. 50, Hartmann said.
Rolls-Royce designed and has been the sole provider of the lift system since the program inception. It is the only company in the world that produces vertical lift technology for fighter aircraft.
Recently, Rolls-Royce announced three contracts with F-135 engine maker Pratt & Whitney totaling $442 million to produce and support lift systems for the F-35B, including cost reductions.
The company is working on a 150 cost initiatives both internally and through its supply chain. To date, the company has invested some $85 million to support the F-35 program.
Meanwhile, the Marines are studying how to sustain the system over time.
Hartmann said the company is “invested, committed and ready now to support them.” What is done at LiftWorks is transferable to wherever support will be conducted.