Rolls-Royce is the first partner on the runway with Purdue Research Foundation in the recently established Purdue Research Park Aerospace District in West Lafayette, officials announced on Sept. 23.

Pending board approvals, Purdue Research Foundation, which owns and manages the Purdue Research Park network, will construct a 40,000-square-foot facility in the new aerospace district to house the R&D group for Rolls-Royce and for other companies interested in aerospace and aviation development.

“We are pleased to be the first to join the Purdue Research Park Aerospace District, and we see great potential in how it will continue to help us provide innovative solutions for our customers,” said Denny Warner, an executive for Rolls-Royce. “The energy that is generated from the activities in the district and the proximity to Purdue’s airport, and the aviation, engineering and technology programs will provide us with greater opportunities to conduct collaborative research with Purdue while we continue to advance our own work in jet engine development.”

Denny Warner, executive for Rolls-Royce, spoke at an event in which Rolls-Royce, Purdue Research Foundation and Indiana state officials announced a 40,000-square-foot facility in the Purdue Research Park Aerospace District to support R&D jet engine components for Rolls-Royce.
(Purdue Research Foundation photo/Oren Darling)

Rolls-Royce is a recognized leader in designing and manufacturing aerospace products and already has a strong research relationship with Purdue University.

“Rolls-Royce and Purdue have a deep history of collaboration. Over the years, the company has invested more than $17 million in collaborative research and development activities at Purdue,” said Purdue President Mitch Daniels. “The company also has nearly 600 Purdue graduates working for it, making it a strong recruiter of Purdue talent. That Rolls-Royce is our first partner in our newly created aerospace district marks a new era in our history with the company.”

The new research facility will further assist Rolls-Royce in:

• Designing, developing and testing of jet engine components.
• Collaborating with Purdue researchers through corporate partnerships.
• Recruiting future talent of Purdue student interns and graduates.

“Rolls-Royce is a world-class enterprise and exactly the type of company that the new aerospace district is designed to serve,” said Dan Hasler, president of Purdue Research Foundation. “One aspect that has attracted so much attention to this project from private and public companies is that Purdue is one of very few elite research institutions with an adjacent fully operational airport, and the location of the aerospace district makes it easy for them to collaborate with Purdue researchers and students. We are pleased to join with Rolls-Royce to inaugurate this new park and know that many fine companies will follow.”

The Purdue Research Park Aerospace District opened earlier this year and encompasses the Purdue University Airport, Purdue Aviation (formerly Lafayette Aviation), the Mach 6 Quiet Flow Ludwieg Tube Wind Tunnel and the Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratories. The site has been named an Indiana Certified Technology Park by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

Rolls-Royce will house an R&D group for its jet engine component research in a 40,000-square-foot facility in the Purdue Research Park Aerospace District in West Lafayette, Indiana. Rolls-Royce is the first to take flight in the district, which was announced this summer.
(Purdue Research Park image)

The infrastructure and pedestrian area that runs by the new aerospace district also is under improvement through a $60 million West Lafayette project to be matched by Purdue University. The project includes two-way traffic lanes, wider walkways and separate bike trails over a two-mile stretch along State Street/U.S. 26 near and through the Purdue campus.

“The announcement of Rolls-Royce, a world renowned leader in the aerospace industry, is a wonderful example of the results from the strong partnership among West Lafayette, Purdue University and the Purdue Research Foundation,” said John Dennis, West Lafayette mayor. “It also exemplifies the potential growth and promise for the future as we work together on the improvements and beautification of the State Street Project. This project will create a gateway to West Lafayette and Purdue University that will support economic development and improved quality of life for the entire region.”

Visit Purdue Aerospace District for information on these enterprises or Purdue aerospace video for a view of aviation at Purdue.