Aerospace manufacturer Alcoa is investing $25m in its Alcoa Power and Propulsion facility in Hampton, Virginia, as part of its plans to address demand for next-generation aircraft engine parts.

The new investment will be used to scale a new process technology that reduces the weight of its highest-volume jet engine blades by 20%, while improving aerodynamic performance.

The process technology, called enhanced equiax (EEQ) casting, was developed after five years of research and development at the Alcoa Power and Propulsion Research Center in Whitehall.

Made primarily using nickel-based superalloys, the lighter blades can be used to retrofit existing or build next-generation aircraft engines.

Alcoa chairman and CEO Klaus Kleinfeld said that the company is deploying a state-of-the-art technology that will significantly improve the performance of some of the best-selling jet engines in the world.

"The lighter blades can be used to retrofit existing or build next-generation aircraft engines."

"This technology and investment further demonstrate how Alcoa is executing on our strategy to aggressively capture demand in the fast-growing aerospace market," Kleinfeld said.

The company will introduce the latest equipment for a new production line and modify existing machinery at the facility to produce the blades.

Alcoa plans to use the latest in advanced manufacturing technology like robotics and digital x-ray for enhanced product inspection.

The expansion, which will commence this month, is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2015, and will generate at least 75 new, full-time jobs over three years.

Alcoa will receive around $2m in state and local incentives and a further $1.3m exemption on sales and use tax for selecting Hampton, Virginia for this investment.

Defence Technology