RR has new prop center in Mississippi

Rolls-Royce opened the doors today to a new machining center at its Propeller Center of Excellence in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The new facility, adjacent to the foundry, will improve manufacturing capabilities and production efficiency across a wide range of marine propellers and propulsors. Rolls-Royce has invested over $8 million in the local industrial base developing the facility. Improvements include a new gantry milling machine and, as a result, machining will be three times faster than the current rate. This will enhance the foundry strengths to include design and custom build capabilities and capacity for propellers ranging in size from 1.5 metres to 10 metres.

Currently the foundry manufactures propellers for US Navy nuclear aircraft carriers and various commercial vessels and can also manufacture components for the large waterjets used on the Littoral Combat Ships.