We are on the threshold of a major milestone: building a supply chain for electrical aerospace products

We are on the threshold of a major milestone: building a supply chain for electrical aerospace products

As we look to become the leading supplier of all-electric and hybrid-electric power and propulsion systems to the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market, we are tasked with developing an industrialisation strategy that is not only sustainable, but also capable of mass production. This mission is being supported by the team focused on developing our supply chain.

Anita Brenner, Operations Supply Chain Manager – Electrical, next to a model of our electric propulsion unit for Urban Air Mobility

Mass production currently is an unknown term in the aviation industry. Production volumes for conventional turbines are significantly lower than the projected initial production requirements of 1,000 – 10, 000 units per year for the company's advanced power distribution and propulsion systems supporting the Advanced Air Mobility market. In addition to high market demand, the impressive production plans will be driven by the optimised size, specific performance and complexity of the system components and sub-assemblies. Rolls-Royce aims at delivering the products serving this global demand within this decade.

"In Rolls-Royce industrialisation strategy for the Advanced Air Mobility market, we are looking at complete systems and components, developed, tested and certified by our engineers, that will roll off the production lines specifically designed for mass production. They will be delivered at the highest quality to meet customer needs. We will focus on optimising costs early in the development phase, so that we can sell our products at the price levels our customers expect," said Anita Brenner, Operations Supply Chain Manager – Electrical for Rolls-Royce.

Anita Brenner, Operations Supply Chain Manager – Electrical, in our Budapest offices

Integrated approach and collaboration from design to production

The aviation industry has very specific requirements for its supply chain, as these products have to perform continuously in mission-critical applications, even under extreme conditions.

That is why a key task for the international supply chain team is to recommend suppliers to the engineering team at an early stage of component design that can meet these requirements. However, close collaboration is not only essential here, but also during the creation of product design. In addition to meeting customer needs, the engineering team also ensures that components are designed for future mass production. The design team receives significant support from the supply chain team in this area.

As Anita explains, " We are looking to develop minimal variations between similar components and manufacturing processes. This is to avoid requiring specialised production lines - sub-optimal production and part numbers can all add up to significant costs. Our goal is to ensure that the engineering technology we offer is not only sustainable but also affordable in the market. The supply chain work is therefore very complex and challenging - supporting the entire (end-to-end) process from the moment a customer request is received until Rolls-Royce-Electrical's propulsion systems are flying safely in a variety of applications."

Jens Geserick, Head of Supply Chain – Electrical, leads the team

Net zero manufacturing

Finding the right suppliers is the role of the Global Commodity team. Engineering requirements have been received, and now it's up to Rolls-Royce specialists to assemble the first prototypes from the first orders delivered by potential suppliers. The testing and certification process will then begin, with engineers working with a view to mass-producing each component.

For Advanced Air Mobility to take-off at large scale, it will need to fulfil its promise of adding not only direct, but also truly clean transport means to over-congested mobility networks. Therefore, while putting all these efforts into technological innovation, Rolls-Royce maintains its net zero operating strategy. The company only works and is looking to work with suppliers who share its commitment to sustainability, and only uses manufacturing solutions that help combat the effects of climate change.

"It will be a huge milestone in the life of Rolls-Royce to build a facility that will produce the sustainable aircraft systems of the future for the Advanced Air Mobility market and I am proud to be able to contribute to this through my work."