OREANDA-NEWS. Rolls-Royce has opened its new advanced LiftWorks repair facility for fighter jet propulsion components in Plainfield, IN, near the company’s facilities in Indianapolis, US.

Rolls-Royce will repair and overhaul components for the Roll-Royce LiftSystem® for F-35 Lightning II aircraft, the most advanced fighter jets in the world. The LiftSystem provides the vertical-lift capability for the F-35B, which is flown by US Marine Corps and UK pilots.

The new LiftWorks facility represents a total investment of more than \\$10 million from Rolls-Royce and the Marine Corps, and will employ approximately 40 people as workload increases. LiftWorks is adjacent to the Rolls-Royce LiftSystem Factory in Plainfield, where new components are assembled for F-35 aircraft. Rolls-Royce also tests LiftFans, the primary component of the LiftSystem, at its Indianapolis facility.

Rolls-Royce is the only company in the world that produces vertical lift technology for fighter aircraft. The Rolls-Royce LiftSystem is comprised of a LiftFan, 3-Bearing Swivel Module, a roll post under each wing, and a shaft connected to the aircraft’s Pratt & Whitney F135 engine.

F-35 pilots say the LiftSystem has proven to be extremely stable and dependable in flight, with superior aircraft software controls making it easy to operate.

Tom Bell, Rolls-Royce, President – Defense, said, “This new LiftWorks facility represents a significant investment in the F-35 program and in the Indianapolis area by Rolls-Royce.  We continue to focus on technology, while increasing efficiency and reducing costs for the F-35 program. The synergy from having our LiftSystem production, repair and test facilities in close proximity will help achieve significant savings, as we apply our decades of experience and knowledge in aftermarket support for our customers. We have the capacity to grow our operations at this facility as the F-35 program ramps up in future years.”

Rolls-Royce has been working to reduce costs for the F-35 program through 150 affordability initiatives, investing more than \\$85 million to support the F-35 program in recent years. Rolls-Royce has also been assisting the Marine Corps as it prepares to declare Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for its F-35B aircraft later this year. Rolls-Royce recently delivered the 50th LiftFan, which meets all IOC requirements for the Marine Corps.

Rolls-Royce has led the aerospace industry in Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) technology since 1954, when the company first tested the “Flying Bedstead” technology demonstrator.

Rolls-Royce also continues to expand support for the F-35 program, with field service representatives collaborating with aircraft maintainers at military bases across the US.