Military Contract Work to be Performed in Indy

Rolls-Royce will provide upgrades to its LiftSystem propulsion system for the F-35B Lightning II aircraft. (photo courtesy Lockheed Martin)

The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded a nearly $19 million contract boost to Connecticut-based United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) for work that will mainly be performed by Rolls-Royce in Indianapolis. The contract calls for upgrades to components of the Rolls-Royce LiftSystem for aircraft used by various military branches.

A spokesman for Rolls-Royce says the upgrades are being made due to a new government requirement. The LiftSystem is used in the F-35B aircraft used by the U.S. Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and international partners.

About 97 percent of the work will be performed in Indy with the remainder being performed in Oklahoma City. The upgrades are expected to be completed by December 2018.

The boost is an extension of the original $70 million contract awarded in 2015. The Naval Air Systems Command in Maryland is the contracting activity.