Rolls-Royce to produce nuclear reactor, aerospace, defense parts at 200-acre hub

Rolls-Royce Submarines, which develops nuclear reactors for the UK’s Royal Navy, has struck a deal to produce nuclear reactor, aerospace, and defense components at a 200-acre technology park. The Rolls-Royce subsidiary announced the partnership with Derby-headquartered Infinity on Friday, November 6. The advanced manufacturing company is currently building a 200-acre technology park to speed up both research and production of nuclear and aerospace components. The sprawling site, roughly the size of 151 American football fields, is expected to bring together advanced manufacturing, testing, digital engineering, as well as prototyping hubs. The deal aims to accelerate production, cut material costs, and improve access to critical components. The announcement comes as Rolls-Royce expands its work on nuclear-powered submarines. The company also plans to provide nuclear reactors for Australia’s future submarines under the AUKUS defense agreement. A new innovation hub Infinity revealed that the site will unite manufacturers, suppliers, universities, and training providers at a single site. It will further include 3D printing, power beam welding, and hot isostatic pressing (HIP), a method that involves applying high temperatures and pressure to materials to boost their strength and remove any internal defects. Power beam welding, on the other hand, relies on concentrated energy beams to join metal components. These processes could improve the production of large and complex parts used in nuclear reactors, aerospace equipment, and defense systems. This could provide manufacturers more control over how critical components are made. The site already houses the Rolls-Royce Nuclear Skills Academy, a first-of-its-kind facility that trains workers for the nuclear industry. Lee Warren, Rolls-Royce Submarines engineering and technology director shared that exploring new manufacturing methods is essential. “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,” he said. A fresh nuclear chapter Rolls-Royce Submarines develops, produces, and maintains the nuclear reactors that have powered the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet for decades. Its first PWR1 reactor entered service in the 1960s, starting with the Valiant-class submarines. The newer PWR2 reactors provide propulsion for the Vanguard-class and Astute-class submarines. Meanwhile, the PWR3 reactor is intended for the upcoming Dreadnought-class submarines, with an enhanced version planned for future AUKUS-class vessels operated by the UK and Australia. “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,” Warren said in a press statement. The company currently employs over 5,500 people. Warren said that the deal will allow the company to explore new manufacturing methods at the park while continuing production at its Raynesway site. The park could also serve other industries, as UK Fusion Energy recently partnered with Infinity to advance the UK’s STEP fusion power plant in Nottinghamshire.Gary Jones, PhD, Infinity chief executive, said the collaboration will strengthen the domestic manufacturing for the defense industry. “I am very proud to announce our partnership and look forward to working with Rolls-Royce Submarines,” he concluded. The wider technology park is expected to create about 17,500 skilled jobs in the East Midlands.Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Based in Skopje, North Macedonia. Her work has appeared in Daily Mail, Mirror, Daily Star, Yahoo, NationalWorld, Newsweek, Press Gazette and others. She covers stories on batteries, wind energy, sustainable shipping and new discoveries. When she's not chasing the next big science story, she's traveling, exploring new cultures, or enjoying good food with even better wine.