Rolls-Royce receives $195.5 million contract for Liftsystem production, support for F-35B Lightning II

Rolls-Royce has been awarded a $195.5 million contract to produce and support LiftSystems™ for the F-35 Lightning II program, the unique technology that provides vertical-lift for 5th-generation combat aircraft.

The Rolls-Royce LiftSystem® enables F-35B aircraft to perform short takeoffs and vertical landings (STOVL) and is currently in service with the US Marine Corps in Yuma, Arizona.

The final agreement with Pratt & Whitney for the fifth production lot includes three complete LiftSystems, spares, sustainment, program management, engineering and field support.

Rolls-Royce has delivered 35 LiftSystems and has expanded field support to include five bases which are flying F-35B aircraft.

Dave Gordon, Rolls-Royce, LiftSystem Program Director, said, “Rolls-Royce remains focused on further increasing the affordability of LiftSystems for the F-35B Lightning II as the program continues to grow and mature. Our field support has expanded and our state-of-the-art production facilities have brought new efficiencies to the program.”

Rolls-Royce recently delivered the 50th 3-Bearing Swivel Module (3BSM) and 40th LiftFan™ for F-35B aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin, and is on schedule for LiftSystem deliveries.
The unique 3BSM is a swivelling exhaust capable of redirecting the rear thrust from the horizontal to the vertical position, tilting downward 95 degrees in only 2.5 seconds. The LiftFan is a two-stage, counter-rotating, blisked fan installed just behind the cockpit of the F-35B, providing 20,000 lbs. of downward thrust. The LiftSystem also includes two roll posts on the wings to provide stabilizing downward thrust.

Rolls-Royce is supporting the US Marine Corps in preparation for upcoming sea trials with F-35B aircraft, as well as the process moving toward Initial Operational Capability in 2015.

1. Rolls-Royce is a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, and has established a strong position in global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy.


2. As a result of this strategy, Rolls-Royce has a broad customer base comprising more than 300 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces, more than 4,000 marine customers, including 70 navies, and energy customers in more than 80 countries.


3. Underlying revenue was £12.2 billion in 2012, of which more than half came from the provision of services. The firm and announced order book stood at £69.2 billion at 30 June 2013, providing visibility of future levels of activity.
4. Rolls-Royce employs over 45,000 people in offices, manufacturing and service facilities in over 50 countries. Over 14,000 of these employees are engineers.


5. In 2012, Rolls-Royce invested £919 billion on research and development, two thirds of which had the objective of further improving the environmental performance of its products, in particular reducing emissions.


6. Rolls-Royce supports a global network of 28 University Technology Centres, which connect the company’s engineers with the forefront of scientific research.


7. The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate recruitment and to further developing employee skills.