Rolls-Royce invests millions in aerospace R&D centre

The California-based facility will focus on ceramic matrix composites for efficient fuel consumption

Rolls-Royce is investing $30 million into a 5,760sq m facility in Southern California that will be dedicated to research and development of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials and processes for use in aircraft engine components, specifically turbines.

The facility will develop production-ready manufacturing processes and produce components that will be used for engine test programmes. Manufacturing processes refined in this facility will then be applied to a future dedicated production facility for manufacturing of engine components.

Marion Blakey, Rolls-Royce president and chief executive of the North American division, said: “The development of lighter, stronger, composite fibre components is just part of our commitment to continuously improve the performance of our products by focusing on lowering fuel consumption, emissions and noise. The team will be dedicated to seeing the commercial application of these technologies that will soon be adopted into advanced manufacturing production methods for gas turbine components.”

CMCs offer multiple advantages for a range of high-tech industries such as aerospace and other applications with demanding thermal and mechanical requirements. CMCs deliver the high temperature capability of ceramics with the strength and reliability that is required for gas turbine engine applications, but weigh less than current alloys. CMC components help save on fuel costs since they are lighter weight and require less cooling over traditional nickel-based components.

Since Rolls-Royce acquired Hyper-Therm, a privately held company, in May 2013, it has grown from 15 employees to nearly 50 positions. The company expects to hire at least 10 more people this year with the potential for 40 more positions as production and testing of products increase. In late 2015, Rolls-Royce received tax incentives totaling nearly $735,000 from the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority for the purchase of the high precision machinery.