Rolls-Royce Submarines has announced the joint appointment of AtkinsRéalis and Mott MacDonald as its new fissile design partners – a key milestone in the expansion of its Raynesway site in Derby.
In June 2023, it was announced that Rolls-Royce is planning to double the size of its submarines site in Derby to meet the growth in demand from the Royal Navy, and as a result of last year’s AUKUS announcement - a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the UK and USA.
This increase in demand will see new manufacturing and office facilities being built and the creation of 1,170 jobs across a range of disciplines, including manufacturing and engineering.
As the work will take place within the nuclear licensed site at Raynesway, the design and construction of fissile facilities adds a level of complexity above that of traditional builds.
The AtkinsRéalis and Mott MacDonald joint venture will design these new facilities and work with the incoming fissile construction partner to deliver them.
Joe St. Julian, president, nuclear, AtkinsRéalis, said: “The design and build of nuclear-powered submarines involves highly complex platform requirements and safety standards as well as extensive knowledge of maritime infrastructure and submarine facilities.
“Alongside our nuclear fuel management knowledge, AtkinsRéalis will bring significant experience to the program through our expertise in maritime and complex defence infrastructure as well as designing civil nuclear at scale.
“Our appointment builds on our long-standing relationships with Rolls-Royce and within the UK defence sector and we look forward to bringing the best of our defence nuclear capabilities in support of this internationally significant program.”