Rolls-Royce and Infinity target advanced manufacturing for next-generation submarines

Rolls-Royce Submarines has announced a strategic partnership with Infinity aimed at developing large-scale prototypes of advanced defence components.

Infinity is creating a technology park in Derby which will bring together on one site full-scale prototyping, digital engineering, testing and validation, skills development and supply chain collaboration. It will develop new approaches to manufacturing which increase speed and capacity whilst reducing materials and costs per unit.

The Rolls-Royce Nuclear Skills Academy already operates on the site. The company will now work with Infinity to develop a host of additional capabilities on the 200-acre park.

How the new facilities will expand industrial capacity to support submarine programmes

These will bring sovereign capacity for technologies and processes including hot isostatic pressing, power beam welding and additive manufacturing. This will shorten development cycles, providing greater control over manufacture of large and strategically important components for fusion, fission, defence, aerospace and more. It will also strengthen national resilience by expanding the industrial capacity available to support the submarine programmes.

Professor Gary Jones BSc, PhD, CSci, FNucI, Chief Executive, Infinity, said: “A key objective of Infinity is to support sovereign manufacture of advanced components, and this agreement will help to achieve that by providing new capabilities for the UK Defence programme. The role for Infinity is to provide new capabilities for advanced manufacturing scale-up to support UK Defence.”

Infinity is leading a programme to bring together industrial partners, specialist suppliers, universities and skills providers. Basing it on a single site will give companies working at a high Technology Readiness Level (TRL) greater access to advanced facilities. This will help them develop the capability needed to work in highly regulated sectors, with the project estimated to create17,500 skilled jobs, supporting the East Midlands economy.

UK Fusion Energy (UKFE), responsible for delivering the UK’s first prototype fusion power plant, has also entered a strategic partnership with Infinity, enabling UKFE to influence the Infinity site’s future capabilities around the needs of STEP Fusion: the UK programme to develop a prototype fusion power plant at West Burton, Nottinghamshire.

Developing new technologies whilst meeting naval nuclear propulsion requirements

Lee Warren, Engineering & Technology Director, Rolls-Royce Submarines, said: “As our business grows to meet the demand for our naval nuclear propulsion work, including increasing our manufacturing drumbeat and providing reactors to Australia as part of the AUKUS agreement, we need to ensure we are continually exploring new technologies.

“For over 65 years we have designed, developed, manufactured, and maintained the reactors that power the UK’s fleet of nuclear submarines and we have done this by balancing consistent delivery with exploring future innovations.

“The Infinity technology park means we can focus on delivery at our Raynesway site in Derby, while continuing to lead the way in advanced manufacturing techniques for the next generation of nuclear power from purpose-built facilities. It further enhances Derby’s reputation as a hub for nuclear expertise.”

Rolls-Royce Submarines currently employs more than 5,500 people and designs, manufactures and provides in-service support to the pressurised water reactors that power every boat in the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet.

Rolls-Royce is currently supporting the existing Astute and Dreadnought boat build programmes through the delivery of reactor plant and associated components. This coordinated effort to sustain the nuclear deterrent is delivered by the UK MoD’s Defence Nuclear Enterprise as part of a national endeavour. It also provides frontline support across the world for reactor plant equipment from its Operations Centre in Derby and supports the submarines when in the Barrow-in-Furness shipyard and the naval bases at Devonport and Faslane. In addition, there are technical specialists working in Glasgow, Cardiff and Thurso.