Rolls-Royce has completed an $11 million investment in its flagship Naval Defense campus in Walpole, Massachusetts, with the recent opening of a 25,000ft² high-tech manufacturing, repair and test facility which will enhance and modernise the company’s naval operations, adding waterjet maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) servicing to its portfolio of world-class capabilities.

Dan Rediger, Rolls-Royce Head of Naval Operations — defense, said: “Our Walpole team has proudly equipped the US Navy for more than 50 years and this investment ensures that we can continue to meet its growing needs for decades to come.”

As the US Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programme continues to mature, Rolls-Royce is seeing an increased demand for spare equipment and MRO services associated with scheduled maintenance. Each Freedom class variant of the LCS is equipped with four Rolls-Royce waterjets that were designed and manufactured on the company’s Walpole campus. The new facility gives Rolls-Royce the capacity and capability to perform the waterjet MRO work in Walpole, as well.

Rolls-Royce is a global leader in propulsion equipment. 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 US Navy’s ships.

Tom Bell, president of Rolls-Royce Defense and chairman and CEO Rolls-Royce North America, said: “We are proud to provide the power to protect in support of our US Department of Defense customers. This investment is a clear signal that we remain committed to meeting their needs both today and well into the future with world-class, American-made products and services.”

The investment is also expected to have a positive impact on the region, bringing new business to the local economy and new high-tech, manufacturing jobs to the Rolls-Royce Walpole campus.