EXPANSION OF RAF LOSSIEMOUTH has seen Rolls-Royce opening its latest Defence Service Delivery Centre in the UK at the Moray base.
The centre will support the resident fleet of Typhoon aircraft and has been established in partnership with the MoD’s Defence Infrastructure Organisation, and has been officially opened by Air Vice Marshal Gerry Mayhew.
A team of 10 specialist Rolls-Royce engineers will work with RAF and Serco staff to deliver tailored support services for the Typhoon’s Eurojet EJ200 engines at Lossiemouth. The delivery centre can also utilise live video links to the Rolls-Royce Operations Centre in Bristol, enabling real-time decision making on engine issues to further increase aircraft availability for missions.
Under a Rolls-Royce MissionCare™ contract, the company provides engine availability and readiness for the EJ200 fleet, reducing risk and administrative burden on the RAF, and allowing the service to focus on its mission.
Paul Craig is the Rolls-Royce President – Defence Services. He said: “We put our customers at the heart of our business. The opening of our latest Service Delivery Centre in support of the RAF demonstrates our commitment to be closer to our customers to ensure they get the best possible aftermarket support and outstanding customer service which they have come to expect from us.
“With a highly skilled team, fully trained in engineering services, supply chain and operational support, we will continue to provide maximum engine readiness and availability.”
Construction of the new building was managed by the DIO, who used extensive research and foresight aimed towards sustainability in the construction. The facility cost £4.5m to build and is part of the final investment at RAF Lossiemouth as part of the Typhoon Transition Programme that began in 2014.
The design of the building also focused on reducing running costs, savings of around £12k per annum are expected in the heating and lighting costs due to the forward thinking design of the facility with regards to insulation.
James Ellistone, DIO’s Project Manager said: “DIO exists to provide high-quality military infrastructure for our Armed Forces across the UK and abroad. The new facility we have worked with Rolls Royce to provide will help to keep RAF Lossiemouth’s Typhoons in top condition and ready for use whenever required.”
At the formal opening AVM Mayhew said: “The design of the new Typhoon Propulsion Support Facility at RAF Lossiemouth by DIO has demanded an exceptionally high degree of collaboration across numerous organizations to deliver a striking, highly sustainable, and energy efficient building. The result is a world-class working environment for Rolls Royce to diagnose, repair, protect and rapidly supply EJ200 engines and spares for the Typhoon fleet based at RAF Lossiemouth.
“The design, capacity and support services of the building have been future-proofed which means that the facility can seamlessly accept any increased demand, following the arrival of any additional Typhoon squadrons at RAF Lossiemouth, without the need for extension or any modifications to deliver essential support to the RAF. The delivery team can be justifiably proud of this achievement.”
This SDC is based on a highly successful model operated by Rolls-Royce at RAF bases at Marham and Brize Norton in the UK.
Rolls-Royce also operates SDCs in the US to support the US Navy F405 fleet in Kingsville, Texas, and in Bangalore, India, to support over 750 engines in service with the Indian Armed Forces. The support system puts engineering and services staff on-base, working closely and collaboratively with the service to increase efficiency and communication.
Service Delivery Centres form part of a suite of innovative support solutions that Rolls-Royce is implementing across a global network of over 100 military customers. The centres are aimed at improving engine availability and reducing costs for customers.