Upgrade for Rolls-Royce Pascagoula naval facility
The US destroyer DDG 1000 is powered by a Rolls-Royce MT30 36MW gas turbine generator set (Source: Rolls-Royce)
Rolls-Royce, the United States’ Defense Production Act Title III (DPA Title III) office and partners have revealed plans to upgrade the company’s naval facility in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Components manufactured there include controllable and fixed pitch propellers and water jet installations for naval vessels including aircraft carriers, destroyers and other military craft.
The upgraded facility, already considered a centre of excellence within Rolls-Royce, will strengthen the company’s manufacturing base. A new 2,415m2 building will house new foundry and machining systems funded by DPA Title III, which is to invest USD 22 million in new equipment, whilst Rolls-Royce, Jackson County, and the state of Mississippi will invest additional funds in building improvements, roads and other infrastructural developments.
Rolls-Royce’s head of Naval Operations, Daniel Rediger, commented: “This community partnership between the Defense Production Act Title III organisation and Rolls-Royce, along with Mississippi and Jackson County officials, is a major success for all involved. Rolls-Royce will improve our capability to serve Navy shipbuilding; the Navy will benefit from our added capacity; and Jackson County will add new, highly skilled jobs and a secure future for local industry. It’s a win-win-win and we are excited to be a part of this project.”
Rolls-Royce’s Pascagoula project follows investment in a new 2,230m2 building at the company’s Walpole facility in Massachusetts. This development further demonstrates both its commitment to the naval business and the resilience of its wider defence business despite difficult economic conditions, the company said.
