Rolls-Royce Submarines and global technology company, Siemens, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on digital optimisation and boost efficiency across engineering.
Signed by both parties the ultimate aim to minimise time to production for new Rolls-Royce technology, while reducing cost and risk within an increasingly complex engineering, manufacturing and operational environment.
Rolls-Royce Submarines currently employs more than 5,000 people and designs, manufactures and provides in-service support to the pressurised water reactors that power every boat in the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet.
Siemens’ trusted software and hardware from the Siemens Xcelerator open business innovation platform helps companies transform processes – accelerating innovation, improving productivity and enhancing efficiency.
This collaboration with Siemens will support Rolls-Royce Submarines in delivering UK sovereign defence requirements more effectively, enabling a more knowledgeable, productive, secure and agile operation.
The collaboration will benefit from the sharing of best practice across the digital landscape, with the ultimate aim being to enhance skills across engineering, manufacturing, research & development, training and reactor operation and maintenance, using digital technology as an enabler.
Lee Warren, Rolls-Royce Submarines Engineering & Technology Director said: “Harnessing the power of digital, and collaborating with global experts such as Siemens, will make us more efficient and ultimately provide an enhanced service to the Royal Navy by getting submarines in the sea quicker and accelerating the maintenance of those already in service.”
Brian Holliday, Managing Director, Digital Industries at Siemens UK and Ireland, added: “As technology and the external environment develops at pace, the imperative for closer collaboration and best practice sharing is clear. Siemens commits to deeply understanding the digital transformation and operational challenges faced by Rolls-Royce Submarines, and bringing to bear the full weight of our industry-leading technology stack, sector expertise and wider partner ecosystem.”
Rolls-Royce is currently supporting the existing Astute and Dreadnought boat build programmes through the delivery of reactor plant and associated components. It also provides frontline support across the world for reactor plant equipment from its Operations Centre in Derby and supports the submarines when in the Barrow-in-Furness shipyard and the naval bases at Devonport and Faslane. In addition, there are technical specialists working in offices in Glasgow and Cardiff, with a unique test facility operating in Thurso, Scotland.
