The Rolls-Royce specialty alloy and stainless steel foundry in Pascagoula, MS, will be the site of an improvement project, with $22 million provided by the U.S. Dept. of Defense under the Defense Production Act Title III. A new, 26,000-sq.-ft building will be built to house new foundry and machining equipment for the propulsion system components produced there, including controllable-pitch propeller systems, fixed-pitch propellers, and water jets. These components are installed in the majority of U.S. Navy ships, including aircraft carriers, destroyers and other vessels.
DPA Title III is a federal funding provision that grants broad authority to the President of the United States to use economic incentives to ensure timely availability of essential domestic industrial resources, to support national defense and homeland security.
Along with the federal funds, Rolls-Royce as well as state and local officials will contribute further capital of an unreported amount.
The Pascagoula project follows an expansion at Rolls' Naval Defense center in Walpole, Mass., including an MRO center for waterjet propulsion systems.
"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," stated Daniel Rediger, Rolls-Royce, Head of Naval Operations.
Rolls-Royce stated its Pascagoula plant is a “Center of Excellence”, and the new investment will strengthen its ability to manufacture propellers and propulsor components for U.S. Navy ships.