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Additive Manufacturing Development Cell opens in Bristol | Rolls-Royce

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Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, officially opened a new Additive Manufacturing (AM) Development Cell at Rolls-Royce’s Defence Assembly and Operations facility in Bristol, UK. Claire Hazelgrove, MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke, also attended to see the unveiling.

With funding from the UK Ministry of Defence, the cell utilizes advanced additive manufacturing technology to manufacture critical components for next-generation aircraft engines. By integrating this German-engineered technology, UK capability remains at the cutting-edge of aerospace engineering, manufacturing complex parts with reduced lead time, reduced cost and increased efficiency compared to traditional methods.

The machinery will play a critical role in accelerating innovation, knowledge and skills across the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) and future combat power and propulsion, across Defence and wider Rolls-Royce applications. With new optimized, lightweight engine components produced, future aircraft will benefit from more power and better fuel efficiency – all at a rapid pace.

Andy Higginson, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing, Assembly and Test, at Rolls-Royce said:

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Across Rolls-Royce we are committed to the continued development and enhancement of our technologies to meet the demands of today, while providing scalable infrastructure required for the future.

Programmes like FCAS and GCAP will be fundamental to the UK’s future aerospace sector and capabilities like additive manufacturing will be crucial to enabling innovation at pace, driving cost savings and enhancing the skills and capabilities of our people.”

With engineers being specially trained to use the cell, the advancement in technology will help to sustain and create jobs at the Bristol hub that continues to be the home of UK military combat and transport aerospace power and propulsion.

Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said:

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This new facility in Bristol is a clear sign of UK industry investing in the skills and technology we need to stay ahead. By using the latest manufacturing techniques to build lighter, more efficient components, Rolls-Royce is helping to keep British engineers at the forefront of innovation - all the while creating and sustaining skilled jobs right here in Bristol."

Housed in a custom-built, carefully controlled 350 m2 space, the humidity, temperature and air pressure are optimised to ensure consistent quality. The AM machinery manufactures aerospace components layer by layer using metal super-alloy powders – constructing complex metal components by intricately melting layers of powder using laser beams.

As well as a weight saving, the components developed in the cell will enable quicker delivery to partners and customers and drive cost efficiencies. The precision of AM technology also drives energy efficiencies by allowing the right quantity of raw materials to be used so there is less waste and less power used to develop components.

Discover more about AM at Rolls-Royce Additive Layer Manufacturing | Rolls-Royce

About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc
  1. Rolls-Royce is a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere. Our products and service packages help our customers meet the growing need for power across multiple industries; enable governments to equip their armed forces with the power required to protect their citizens; and connect people, societies, cultures and economies together.
  2. Rolls-Royce has a local presence in 47 countries and customers in over a hundred more, including airlines and aircraft leasing companies, armed forces and navies, and marine and industrial customers.
  3. Through our multi-year transformation programme, we are building a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing Rolls-Royce. We are building the financial capacity and agility to allow us to successfully develop and deliver the products that will support our customers through the energy transition.
  4. Annual underlying revenue was £20.1 billion in 2025, and underlying operating profit was £3.46 billion.
  5. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc is a publicly traded company (LSE: RR., ADR: RYCEY, LEI: 213800EC7997ZBLZJH69).