Rolls-Royce has completed a decade-long $1bn investment in its Indianapolis manufacturing, assembly and testing operations, strengthening the Indiana site’s role in the US defence industrial base.
The investment, the largest Rolls-Royce has made in the United States, has modernised advanced manufacturing capabilities across the Indianapolis campus and added comprehensive engine-testing capacity. The programme includes new ground-test facilities at Indianapolis and an altitude test facility in West Lafayette, Indiana, giving Rolls-Royce the ability to build, assemble and test engines across its US operations. The company said more of its defence products are built in Indianapolis than anywhere else in the world.
The upgraded campus is supporting engines for a range of US defence programmes, including future propulsion systems for the US Air Force’s B-52 strategic bomber and the US Army’s MV-75 Cheyenne, alongside engines currently powering platforms such as the V-22 Osprey, the US Navy’s MQ-25A Stingray and the C-130J.
Strengthening US defence manufacturing
The investment comes as the US continues to focus on strengthening domestic defence manufacturing capacity and the resilience of critical industrial supply chains.
Rolls-Royce employs approximately 3,500 people at its Indianapolis operations, including a skilled UAW workforce, while its Indiana supply chain supports thousands more jobs. Adam Riddle, president of Defence and CEO of Rolls-Royce North America, said the investment was focused on both manufacturing capability and US national security.
This billion-dollar investment is about more than buildings and test cells — it is about delivering for the American warfighter, on time and at the standard our customers expect.
“We made this investment because it was the right thing to do for U.S. national security and for the future of Rolls-Royce.
Adam Riddle, president of Defence and CEO of Rolls-Royce North America
Indiana Governor Mike Braun described the investment as a vote of confidence in the state’s manufacturing workforce. “Advanced manufacturing like this is exactly what keeps Indiana’s economy strong and growing,” he said.
The completion of the programme further establishes Indianapolis as a major centre for Rolls-Royce’s global engine manufacturing and testing activities, while reinforcing the company’s long-term presence in the US.
Investment in advanced propulsion R&D
The Indianapolis campus is also home to LibertyWorks, Rolls-Royce’s advanced research organisation, which focuses on areas including high-temperature materials and propulsion technologies.
The company has also established a $75m, 10-year research alliance with Purdue University, supporting work in advanced propulsion and materials.
Together, the expanded manufacturing, assembly, testing and research capabilities are intended to give Rolls-Royce greater control over the development and production of advanced propulsion systems for US defence customers. The $1bn programme represents a significant expansion of the company’s US manufacturing footprint and provides the Indianapolis campus with end-to-end engine capabilities, from advanced research and manufacturing through to full engine testing.
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