Virginian academic institutions join Rolls-Royce UTC network
Creating a UTC provides each party with mutual benefits through funding of fundamental, collaborative research to advance key aerospace technologies critical to Rolls-Royce.
The announcement was made on Tuesday 8th April at a ceremony on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Virginia. A similar announcement was made on the grounds of the University of Virginia on Wednesday 9th April following the dedication of an advanced manufacturing lab at the U.Va. School of Engineering and Applied Science.
Ric Parker (right), Director of Research & Technology, Rolls-Royce plc., said:"We have a strong commitment to the Commonwealth of Virginia to build an advanced manufacturing and an aerospace industry hub at our Rolls-Royce Crosspointe campus in Prince George County. This announcement further strengthens our relationship with the Commonwealth's leading academic institutions of Virginia Tech and U.Va. by launching research projects that will ultimately be adopted on a global scale."
Rolls-Royce has enjoyed a strong relationship with both universities for over a decade. Together with Rolls-Royce, they form the Commonwealth Center for Aerospace Propulsion Systems (CCAPS) and are founding members of the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM). Today's incorporation as UTC's allows more specific, technical research at the university level, leveraging the strengths of each institution, which could eventually lead to new product development.
