On August 27, 2026, Rolls-Royce celebrated the completion of a $1 billion, decade-long investment in its Indiana manufacturing, assembly and test facilities, solidifying the position of the company as the foundation of America’s defence industrial base. It has now become one of the top advanced manufacturer and employers in Indianapolis.
According to President, Defense, and CEO, Rolls-Royce North America, Adam Riddle, “This billion-dollar investment is about more than buildings and test cells — it is about delivering for the American warfighter, on time and at the standard our customers expect. We made this investment because it was the right thing to do for U.S. national security and for the future of Rolls-Royce.”
The investment, which is the largest in the company’s history in the US, modernized advanced manufacturing at the Indianapolis campus and added a full engine-test functionality, which included new ground test facilities, along with an altitude test facility in West Lafayette. It is well to be noted that Indianapolis builds more Rolls-Royce defence products compared to any place else across the world.
Mike Braun, the Indiana governor, said that “Rolls-Royce has called Indiana home for three decades, and this billion-dollar investment is a vote of confidence in Hoosier workers and our state. Advanced manufacturing like this is exactly what keeps Indiana’s economy strong and growing. We are proud that Indiana is home to Rolls-Royce in the U.S., and we look forward to their continued success for generations to come.”
It is worth noting that the campus tests and builds engines for a variety of defence as well as commercial platforms, such as future engines for the U.S. Air Force B-52 strategic bomber along with the MV-75 Cheyenne from the U.S. Army, as well as current-generation engines for the V-22 Osprey and the U.S. Navy’s MQ-25A Stingray, as well as the C-130J.
Notably, Rolls-Royce being a top advanced manufacturer in Indianapolis, has about 3,500 employees within the state, comprising highly qualified UAW workers, and generates a lot more jobs via its Indiana supply chain.
In the past 10 years, Rolls-Royce has committed in excess of $1.5 billion in its U.S. facilities and almost $2.5 billion when it comes to research and development throughout the country. In 2024, the U.S. operations of the company pumped in $6.2 billion to the national economy while generating over 30,000 jobs throughout 26 states, which included R&D spillover. For every dollar that the U.S. government invests, Rolls-Royce generates an estimated four dollars for it.
The advanced-research organization of the company – LibertyWorks, which is located on the Indianapolis campus – has been leading the way when it comes to high-temperature materials and propulsion for many years, backed up by a $75 million, 10-year collaboration with Purdue University.