Defence

DEPENDABLE TECHNOLOGY FOR ELITE DEFENCE SYSTEMS

World-class
platform capability

Since 1955 RLC has operated as a vital manufacturing partner across the global defence sector, delivering for the world’s most advanced combat platforms, delivering secure UK sovereign manufacturing and advanced testing, supplying mission-critical supply chains.

Our components are embedded in front-line assets where absolute mechanical integrity is mandatory, including the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the Eurofighter Typhoon II. This trusted position reflects our capacity to meet rigid military standards, ensuring long-term fleet readiness and flawless operational execution.

Our defence credentials are anchored by longstanding and strategic relationships with Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, Martin-Baker, Safran and BAE Systems. RLC manufactures safety-critical propulsion components, including the high-tolerance propulsion rockets utilised in ejection seats across numerous aircraft variants worldwide.

This deep institutional experience provides a proven, scalable blueprint for next-generation defence initiatives, combining complex manufacturing with tight tolerance limits.

Discuss your Programme

Trusted defence partners

Specialist aerospace and defence capabilities

Rocket Casings, Cartridge Cases and Propulsion hardware

Configured manufacturing space optimised for the unique security, traceability, and technical demands of missile and propulsion casings.

Configured manufacturing space optimised for the unique security, traceability, and technical demands of missile and propulsion casings.
Complex Assembly

Highly controlled environments dedicated to the integration of sensitive components and sub-systems.

Highly controlled environments dedicated to the integration of sensitive components and sub-systems.
Specialist Treatments

In-house chemical processing and advanced surface treatments engineered to protect mission hardware against severe operational environments.

In-house chemical processing and advanced surface treatments engineered to protect mission hardware against severe operational environments.
Engine Components

Hollow fan blade panels and related propulsion hardware, supported by controlled machining, inspection and programme support for demanding defence engine programmes.

Hollow fan blade panels and related propulsion hardware, supported by controlled machining, inspection and programme support for demanding defence engine programmes.
Aerostructures

Titanium aerostructure machining and inspection for defence airframe programmes.

Titanium aerostructure machining and inspection for defence airframe programmes.

Product lifecycle
end-to-end capability

RLC supports aerospace and defence customers with aircraft equipment that must perform safely, reliably and consistently.

Bringing together precision machining, specialist treatments, testing, assembly, aerospace textiles and supply chain control, giving customers a clearer route from raw material to finished equipment.

Discuss your programme

Where we add value

Aerospace and defence programmes often involve demanding technical requirements, strict approval routes and long operational life cycles.

We support customers where equipment complexity, supply chain risk or programme pressure requires more than standard manufacturing capacity.

Our programme-led approach combines engineering input, controlled production and long-term sustainment support across critical aerospace and defence equipment, with vertically integrated solutions.

Innovation

We work closely with customers to identify practical improvements in manufacturability, process control and programme delivery.

This includes design for manufacture input, alternative process routes, tooling, inspection methods and supply arrangements where they can reduce risk or improve repeatability.

We work closely with customers to identify practical improvements in manufacturability, process control and programme delivery.

This includes design for manufacture input, alternative process routes, tooling, inspection methods and supply arrangements where they can reduce risk or improve repeatability.
Development

We support new and changing defence requirements through prototypes, trial builds, test pieces and qualification hardware.

Our teams help define practical manufacturing routes, inspection plans and documentation before production begins.

We support new and changing defence requirements through prototypes, trial builds, test pieces and qualification hardware.

Our teams help define practical manufacturing routes, inspection plans and documentation before production begins.
Volume Ramp

We plan capacity, tooling, material supply and production controls as a programme moves from low-rate production into higher-volume delivery.

This gives customers clearer visibility of programme readiness, delivery timing and quality performance.

We plan capacity, tooling, material supply and production controls as a programme moves from low-rate production into higher-volume delivery.

This gives customers clearer visibility of programme readiness, delivery timing and quality performance.
Mature programmes

We support long-running defence programmes through recurring manufacture, configuration changes and complex bills of materials.

Stable process knowledge, approved routes and supply chain oversight help maintain continuity throughout the programme life.

We support long-running defence programmes through recurring manufacture, configuration changes and complex bills of materials.

Stable process knowledge, approved routes and supply chain oversight help maintain continuity throughout the programme life.
AfterMarket

We support spares, replacement equipment, low-volume parts and legacy hardware for aircraft and ground support equipment.

We retain product knowledge, manage obsolescence and help customers keep critical equipment available in service.

We support spares, replacement equipment, low-volume parts and legacy hardware for aircraft and ground support equipment.

We retain product knowledge, manage obsolescence and help customers keep critical equipment available in service.

Industry approvals

RLC’s approvals reflect the standards required to support demanding civil aerospace and defence programmes.

They give customers confidence that sensitive and safety-critical work is managed through controlled processes, recognised quality systems and documented routes across machining, treatments, testing, assembly and specialist manufacturing.

View our full list of approvals on the approvals page.

Explore Approvals Discuss a Programme