Walpole, Massachusetts - Rolls-Royce is investing $7.7 million to create new manufacturing, repair and test capability in support of U.S. Navy programs with the completion of a new facility in late 2020. Rolls-Royce officially launched construction with a ground breaking this week for the 24,000 square foot facility that will enhance and modernize the company's naval operations in Walpole.
Upon completion, Rolls-Royce's flagship Naval Defense facility will add water jet maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) servicing to its portfolio of world-class capabilities. Rolls-Royce expects demand for spare equipment and MRO services associated with the U.S. Navy's Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program to ramp up beginning next year. Each Freedom class variant of the LCS is equipped with four Rolls-Royce waterjets.
Rolls-Royce continues to provide unparalleled products and services to the U.S. Navy. The company is the sole supplier of shock-rated propeller systems, which have demonstrated extraordinary levels of reliability and robustness in service. Rolls-Royce Propulsion equipment can be found on more than 95% of the U.S. Navy Surface Warfare fleet.
Tom Bell, Rolls-Royce plc President - Defense and Rolls-Royce North America Chairman & CEO said: 'We're excited to announce this important investment in our naval business. Rolls-Royce is bringing critical new capabilities to the region, reaffirming our strong commitment to the U.S. and our largest global Defense customer - the U.S. Department of Defense.
'The new facility in Walpole is just one of many significant U.S. investments Rolls-Royce Defense will highlight in 2020, as we continue to provide world-class American made products and services to support the U.S. military around the world.'
About Walpole
For more than 50 years, Rolls-Royce Walpole has delivered key ship propulsor systems for our Naval Defense customers. From design and development through aftermarket support and product servicing, we provide the power that matters for our customers across a broad range of applications.
Rolls-Royce supports more than 70 navies worldwide, including our largest customer, the U.S. Navy. We provide propulsion products* for a wide range of U.S. Navy platforms including Frigates, Destroyers, Combatants, Submarines, Aircraft Carriers, Amphibious ships, Fleet Support and Auxiliary Ships, as well as U.S. Coast Guard Cutters.
Propulsion equipment includes Controllable-Pitch Propellers, Fixed-Pitch Propellers and Waterjets.
Rolls-Royce North America
Rolls-Royce employs 6,000 people in 27 states across the U.S., literally coast-to-coast, from southern California to Walpole, Massachusetts. Rolls-Royce also supports a total of 52,100 additional jobs across the U.S., adding $8.6 billion to the nation's economy, according to a recent economic impact study. Rolls-Royce North America is a U.S.-based subsidiary with a separate U.S. board, leadership and security approved through the U.S. Department of Defense.
Rolls-Royce has invested nearly $1 billion in Research and Development in the U.S. since 2013.
About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc
Rolls-Royce pioneers cutting-edge technologies that deliver clean, safe and competitive solutions to meet our planet's vital power needs.
Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 150 countries, comprising more than 400 airlines and leasing customers, 160 armed forces, 70 navies, and more than 5,000 power and nuclear customers.
Annual underlying revenue was $19.35 billion in 2018, around half of which came from the provision of aftermarket services.
In 2018, Rolls-Royce invested $1.8 billion on research and development. We also support a global network of 29 University Technology Centres, which position Rolls-Royce engineers at the forefront of scientific research.
The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate recruitment and to further developing employee skills.
ROLLS-ROYCE HOLDINGS PLC 
