Rolls-Royce congratulates US Marine Corps for first F-35B Lightning II operational squadron

Posted on 30, November 2012 by | This entry was posted in Aviation & Aerospace, Defence, Technology, United Kingdom. Bookmark the permalink.

30-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, today offered congratulations to the United States Marine Corps for the stand-up and dedication of its first operational squadron of F-35B Lightning II aircraft at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.

Tom Hartmann, Rolls-Royce, Senior Vice President – Defence, said, “Rolls-Royce congratulates the US Marine Corps for this significant milestone, as military aviation leaps forward into a new era. Rolls-Royce is proud to support the Marine Corps during this important transition from training to tactical aviation in the F-35B.”

The new Marine Corps jets comprise the beginning of the first operational fleet for the F-35 program, and will be part of the newly re-designated VMFA-121 aircraft squadron at MCAS Yuma in Arizona.

The F-35B aircraft, equipped with the unique Rolls-Royce LiftSystem®, provide short take off and vertical landing, or STOVL, capability. Rolls-Royce will support VMFA-121 through technical assistance and Field Service Representatives at MCAS Yuma.

The LiftSystem is part of the F-35B propulsion system, powered by the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine. The LiftSystem includes the Rolls-Royce LiftFan®, shaft, gearbox, 3-Bearing Swivel Module, and roll posts. The propulsion system allows an F-35B to operate from aircraft carriers, short-deck amphibious ships, or austere, forward locations which lack lengthy runways. The Lockheed Martin F-35B is the only fifth-generation STOVL aircraft in the world.

MCAS Yuma is scheduled to receive four operational squadrons of up to 16 F-35s each, plus an Operational Test and Evaluation squadron with up to eight aircraft

  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, defense aerospace, marine and energy.
  2. As a result of this strategy, Rolls-Royce has a broad customer base comprising more than 500 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. Annual underlying revenue was $18.1 billion* in 2011, of which more than half came from the sale of aftermarket services. The firm and announced order book stood at $96.2 billion* at June 30, 2012, providing visibility of future growth.
  4. Rolls-Royce employs over 40,000 people in offices, manufacturing and service facilities in over 50 countries. Over 11,000 of these employees are engineers.
  5. In 2011, Rolls-Royce invested $1.4 billion* in 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 Centers, 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.
  8. In North America, Rolls-Royce employs more than 9,300 people in 66 locations in 26 states and 7 sites in 6 Canadian provinces. In the United States, Rolls-Royce employs more than 7,700 people in 26 states.
  9. In the U.S., Rolls-Royce operates 15 manufacturing, assembly or test facilities in 10 states including California, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

* Assumed exchange rate: £1.00= $1.60

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Rolls-Royce congratulates US Marine Corps for first F-35B Lightning II operational squadron -- F-35B Lightning II aircraft (Copyright Lockheed Martin Corporation©)

Rolls-Royce congratulates US Marine Corps for first F-35B Lightning II operational squadron — F-35B Lightning II aircraft (Copyright Lockheed Martin Corporation©)

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