Rolls-Royce has opened its latest Defence Service Delivery Centre in the UK, located at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, to support the resident fleet of Typhoon combat aircraft. The Service Delivery Centre (SDC), established in partnership with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and the UK MoD, was officially opened by Air Vice Marshal Gerry Mayhew, Air Officer Commanding RAF No1 Group.
A team of around 10 specialist Rolls-Royce engineers, together with their RAF and Serco counterparts, work at the SDC to deliver tailored support services for the Typhoon combat aircraft’s Eurojet EJ200 engines at the customer’s operating base. The SDC 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, Rolls-Royce, director – Defence Services, said: “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.”
Air Vice Marshal Gerry Mayhew, Air Officer Commanding No 1 Group, 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 organisations 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.”
James Ellistone, senior project manager at DIO, said: “DIO exists to provide high-quality military infrastructure for the UK’s Armed Forces and following early engagement with Rolls-Royce and the RAF, it was agreed that this new facility would be designed, contracted and delivered by DIO but with very detailed engagement with the users.
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.