News Archive

Employment at GKN Aerospace, Mexico, grows to 5 times the 2002 workforce. Operation moves to a new facility to meet the growth plan to 2012.

Tallassee Alabama facility and workforce grow by 50% in 2 years to support expanding aerospace market.

The GKN Aerospace team in the Company’s Composites Research Centre is in the final stages of work on the three year Integrated Wing, Advanced Technology Verification Programme (IW-ATVP) which is trialling multiple new manufacturing processes for composite aircraft wing ribs, skins and spars.

GKN Aerospace - Santa Ana, is now delivering the first production hardware manufactured using an entirely new process that will form compound curves into titanium structures for the first time.

Two strategic developments at GKN Aerospace have been central in bringing the Company’s core propulsion systems operation to the position where it can offer aero-engine primes the capability to manufacture and supply complete, assembled jet engine fan, turbine exhaust or compressor case modules.

GKN Aerospace is positioning itself to meet future demand for engine components by extending its electrochemical machining (ECM) capability and technology. The Company has a world lead in this through its 2007 acquisition of Teleflex Aerospace Manufacturing Group (TAMG).

In the 18 months since the beginning of 2007 GKN Aerospace gained new business with a value over USD2.5bn. By the end of 2007 the Company had reached its 5 year target declared in 2002, of doubling turnover to exceed USD2bn.

GKN Aerospace announced today that it has established a joint venture company with Rolls-Royce to carry out research and development into the use of composite materials in aero engine fan blades.

On schedule this month, GKN Aerospace has commenced assembly of the AgustaWestland Future Lynx Airframe at the Company’s Yeovil, UK facility.

See us at SAMPE – booth number 536

GKN Aerospace teams at the Company’s Composites Research Centre, Cowes, UK and at the Ice Protection Facility in Luton, UK, have commenced work on the three year ‘Next Generation Composite Wing’ (NGCW) research programme aimed at revolutionizing technologies that will improve future wing design and manufacturing processes in the UK.

GKN Aerospace has gained a further follow on contract from Lockheed Martin to supply the integrated nacelle for the C-130J aircraft. This $400m, 5 year contract brings the total value of GKN Aerospace work on the C-130J to over $800m, and takes the Company’s contribution to the programme into its 20th year.

GKN Aerospace Chem-tronics, Aviation Repair in El Cajon, CA, has received a OneAero Top Shop Award in the category of "Engine Overhaul & Repair". This award recognises that the Company is providing the aviation industry with "superior customer support, exceptional turn-around-times and competitive repair pricing".

See us at MRO USA, 15th – 17th April, 2008. Booth number 2517

See us at Heli Expo, 24th – 26th February, George R. Brown Convention Centre, Houston Tx, Booth number 4123.

As part of an initiative to reduce and remove Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from fuel tank manufacturing processes, engineers and scientists at GKN Aerospace in Portsmouth, UK, have developed the first single-skin flexible fuel bladder material that is able to offer crash resistance and puncture tolerance.

Visit us on Stand K82, Singapore Airshow , 19th – 24th Feb, 2008.

Visit us on Stand K82, Singapore Airshow , 19th – 24th Feb, 2008

GKN Aerospace has delivered the first blended winglet for the Boeing 737-300/500, well ahead of scheduled delivery dates in the first quarter of this year. The agreement, with Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) was finalised in April 2007.

GKN Aerospace, teamed with Sikorsky Aircraft and the US Army’s ManTech Program Office, has completed the design, development and manufacture of the UH-60 Common Composite Tailcone (CTC) test units for BLACK HAWK helicopters. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX)

See us at MRO Europe, November 7th and 8th 2007, Milan. Stand 341/343/345

See us at MRO Europe, November 7th and 8th 2007, Milan. Stand 341/343/345.

GKN Aerospace has been awarded a contract by Boeing to develop and supply advanced titanium metal matrix composite (TMMC) thrust links for the Boeing 787. This represents the first use of TMMC in a commercial application.

GKN Aerospace will exhibit at AUSA this month - displaying its industry-leading transparent armor technologies, which provide high levels of ballistic and artillery fragment protection.

See us at NBAA, stand number 4918

See us at NBAA, Stand number 4918

See us at NBAA, Booth number 4918

Visit us on stand number 624 at the Show

See us at DSEI – stand number 624

GKN Aerospace today announces the successful completion of the acquisition of Teleflex Aerospace Manufacturing Group (TAMG).

The GKN/Ultra electro-thermal Wing Ice Protection System (WIPS) for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which will be the first all electro-thermal anti-ice / de-ice system to be qualified for use on a civil airliner, has successfully completed a 30 month program of icing tunnel tests in the Boeing Research Aircraft Icing Tunnel (BRAIT).

See us at RAA, 21 – 24 May, Memphis, TN - GKN Aerospace supplies blended winglet for the Boeing 737-300/500 - Nacelles aftermarket business growth targeted - Composite and metallic repair business gains new customers - South West Airlines Boeing 737 passenger window spares supply now underway - Radome test range adds new repair and test certifications.

GKN Aerospace has been awarded a System Design & Development (SDD) contract for the Fuselage Aft Transition for the US Marine Corps’ next generation Heavy Lift aircraft, the Sikorsky CH-53K. The Aft-Cabin Transition section includes the cargo ramp and overhead door. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

May 9th, 2007. Today at the Airline Purchasing Exhibition, London, GKN Aerospace signed an agreement with AJW Aviation covering the exclusive distribution of CrystalVue II™ passenger cabin windows.

Following the recent announcement of American Airlines as the launch customer for the Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) 767-300ER blended winglet, GKN Aerospace can now announce its selection by Aviation Partners Boeing to produce this winglet, as well as the winglet for the 737-300/500.

See us at Table #14 at SME Composites Manufacturing, 2007, Salt Lake City, April 11th - 12th.

See us at HAI in Orlando, Florida, March 1st – 3rd, 2007, on booth number 4102.

GKN Aerospace is to design, develop and provide initial supply of advanced fuel bladders for the Republic of Korean Army (ROKA) helicopter, the KHP. This contract, awarded by Hanwha Corporation, has a value approaching $3.5m and is the culmination of a lengthy collaboration.

GKN Aerospace markets Bullet Resistant Glass at IDEX 2007 See us at booth no. 2105

See us on the GKN Aerospace stand no C4.8j at Aero India, Bangalore, 7 – 11 February, 2007.

Aircraft transparencies and de-icing systems, fuel and emergency flotation systems are marketed on the GKN Aerospace stand, no C4.8j at Aero India, Bangalore, 7 – 11 February, 2007.

GKN Aerospace has been awarded a Long Term Agreement by Boeing Commercial Aircraft Company to supply thirteen complex titanium fittings for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. These parts comprise structural wing to body and wing to nacelle fittings and will be manufactured in the new 5553 advanced grade titanium.

SouthWest Airlines (SWA), the largest operator of Boeing 737 aircraft, has signed a Long Term Agreement (LTA) with GKN Aerospace covering the supply of all spares replacement 737 cabin windows. SWA's selection of GKN Aerospace is based on the excellent value and long service life offered by the GKN CrystalVue II™ cabin windows.

GKN Aerospace contribution on the F-22 Raptor nears $5m per ship set. See us at the Defense Manufacturing Conference, November 27-30, 2006, Nashville, Tennessee

See us at MRO Europe - Amsterdam 24 - 26 October, 2006, stand 728

See us at NBAA, Orlando, FL, 17 - 19 October 2006, Booth 836. GKN Aerospace's new Precision Machining Division, formed through the recent acquisition of Stellex Aerostructures, has this month delivered production empennage spars for the Cessna Mustang.

Business aviation activity to continue growth through 2007 following Stellex acquisition and management reorganisation. See us at NBAA, Orlando, FL, 17-19 October 2006, Booth 836.

Recent history and concern over terrorist activity has led to a growing interest in products that offer effective protection to travelling personnel. GKN Aerospace has been developing and manufacturing transparent armour – 'bullet resistant glass' for over 20 years – with production facilities in Kings Norton in the UK and Sao Paolo in Brazil and now Garden Grove, California.

Bembridge resident and GKN Aerospace employee Peter Swallow is planning to trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro early next year to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. He will start at 1,800m and climb to 5,896m, walking through tropical rainforest and moorland to reach a summit of glaciers and permanent ice cap.

GKN plc of the UK today announces that it has agreed to acquire Stellex Aerostructures of the US

With the announcement on Thursday 22nd June by the Minister for Defence Procurement, Lord Drayson, of the award of the Future Lynx contract to AgustaWestland, GKN Aerospace has signed, in parallel, the Partnering Charter and Future Lynx contract with AgustaWestland.

GKN Aerospace has again recognised the best of its global suppliers in an awards ceremony at the Farnborough International Airshow on Wednesday 19th July. Six companies from around the world, including one from Malaysia and others from the USA and Europe, came together for a breakfast ceremony in the GKN Aerospace chalet at the show.

GKN Aerospace is working on the development of new techniques for composite manufacture that will extend the use of composite materials across the airframe and into aero-engines.

GKN Aerospace - FPT Industries has been selected as the fuel system supplier for the Korean Smart Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) development programme.

FPT Industries, a GKN Aerospace company, has formed a partnership with FR Aviation, a Cobham plc company, to design and manufacture range extending Auxiliary Cabin Fuel Tanks for the Australian Maritime Patrol Aircraft, the DHC-8-Q300. This partnership follows the recent award to Cobham plc of the CMS04 12 year contract to operate these aircraft for the Australian Customs Service.

See us at Farnborough International Airshow, 17th – 24th July, Farnborough, UK.

GKN Aerospace’s electro-thermal ice protection technology meets the growing demand to produce ‘all electric aircraft’.

GKN Aerospace company FPT Industries has won its latest contract with Boeing Military Aircraft to supply fuel pods and assemblies for the Chinook helicopter, thirty years after work began on this airframe.

See us on Stand N20/5, June 12th - 16th, Paris. At Eurosatory this year, GKN Aerospace, FPT Industries, will display a working model of the advanced, integrated fuel system designed for the TERRIER air-transportable armoured Combat Engineer Vehicle (CEV) for the Royal Engineers.

Pioneering work underway on the A400M, the A380 and in the new Advanced Composites Facility. See us at SAMPE, Booth 650, 2nd - 4th May, 2005 - Long Beach, California

See us at MRO USA, on Booth 2226/2228, 25th - 27th April, 2006, Phoenix, Arizona.

GKN Aerospace has won an initial US$6 million contract from U.S.-based Pratt & Whitney to develop new electro-thermal heater mats for the advanced Engine Ice Protection System (EIPS) on the F135 engine. The F135 is the lead engine for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. GKN Aerospace anticipates that this contract will lead to full scale production in support of the F-35 program, which will enter service in 2012.

FPT Industries, a division of GKN Aerospace, is marketing a revolutionary new airport canopy to airports and bridge manufacturers at Passenger Terminal Expo in Paris, 21-23 March, 2006. See us in Hall 2, Booth 270.

GKN Aerospace has been selected by Airbus, under a cooperation agreement, as the preferred vendor of passenger cabin windows for the A330 and A340 wide-body aircraft.

See us at HAI, Dallas, Tx, 26 - 28 February, 2006. Booth number 4200. FPT Industries, part of GKN Aerospace, has finalised the design of the extended flotation system for the Sikorsky S-92 multi-mission helicopter, designed to ensure stability in extreme Sea State 6 conditions.

GKN Aerospace at Asian Aerospace, 21 - 26 February, 2006 See us on stand A644 in Hall 1

Following 12 months design activity in partnership with EADS-CASA, GKN Aerospace has been awarded a contract to supply an innovative air inlet for the engine of the A400M military transport aircraft. The inlet represents one of the first applications of welded aluminium, with a thermal solution for anti-icing, to the severe, high temperature environment of a turbo prop nacelle.

GKN Aerospace to produce composite components for Northrop Grumman's X-47B Joint Unmanned Combat Aircraft. It was confirmed today that GKN Aerospace is to produce the composite skins, covers and doors for Northrop Grumman's X-47B Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems (J-UCAS) aircraft. Should the X-47B enter full production, the total value of the contract would exceed $500M.

GKN plc has appointed Marcus Bryson as Chief Executive of GKN Aerospace. Mr.Bryson will take responsibility for all GKN Aerospace operations on a global basis from January 1, 2006 and will join the GKN plc Executive Committee.

On the 9th November, members of the GKN Aerospace, Cowes team attended a ceremony in the Winchester Guildhall where they received a number of awards as part of the 'Hampshire and Isle of Wight Sustainable Business Awards', including the highest award of the evening, for 'SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR, 2005'.

Visit us on booth 4535, NBAA, 9 - 11 November, Orlando, Florida. GKN Aerospace's restructuring of its business operation in 2005, to create an organisation based around two divisions and focused more clearly on its customers, sees results.

Exhibiting on Booth 109 at MRO Europe, Berlin, 18th - 20th October 2005.

Pratt and Whitney has awarded GKN Aerospace Chem-tronics Inc a contract with a potential $100m value to supply titanium inlet cases for the TF33 engine which equips the United States Air Force fleet of B-52 and KC-135E aircraft.

GKN Aerospace Chem-tronics Inc has won a fifth contract from the US Government to supply assemblies to support the F-100 engine which equips the USAF F-15 and F-16 aircraft.

GKN Aerospace announced today a 120,000 sq. ft. expansion of its Tallassee, Alabama facility as a result of the additional work the site has won across its customer base and the recent award by GE Engines on the GEnx Engine Program. The expansion will create an additional 250 jobs within GKN Aerospace and will increase GKN’s investment in the State of Alabama by $20M.

With the 1st full-scale, full-specification optical coating trials successfully completed on the Integrated Transparency System (ITS) for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, GKN Aerospace expects to deliver the first fully functional flight part to Lockheed Martin in August 2005.

The UK’s capability in aerospace technology was strengthened today when GKN’s new Advanced Composites Facility was opened by the Rt Hon Alun Michael MP, Minister of State for Industry and the Regions.

GKN Aerospace's first integrated canopy system for the F-15C aircraft was delivered to the U.S. Air Force on April 8, 2005. This pioneering contract, gained in April 2004, covers the first supply of a complete integrated military aircraft canopy system.

See us at SAMPE, Booth 651, 3rd-5th May 2005, Long Beach, California

See us at Booth 2021, MRO (USA), Fort Worth, Texas.

Pioneering work underway on the A380, the A400M and a new Advanced Composites Centre opens this year. See us at JEC, Hall 1, Q53, 5th - 7th April, 2005, Paris, France

Tallassee, AL – GKN Aerospace has been selected by General Electric Company (GE) to develop & manufacture the front fan containment case for the new GEnx Engine which will power the Boeing 787.

The first F/A-22 Raptor air dominance fighter equipped with a GKN Aerospace cockpit canopy transparency was flown by the US Air Force at Tyndall Air Force Base on January 12, 2005. During the following week the aircraft made two additional training flights.

Latest developments in fuel systems and emergency flotation equipment, transparencies and de-icing systems, to be displayed at HAI, Anaheim, California, February 6 - 8, 2005. See Us at Booth 738.

Latest developments in aircraft transparencies and de-icing systems, fuel systems and emergency flotation equipment to be displayed at Aero India, Bangalore, February 9 - 13, 2005. See us at Booth 516

GKN Aerospace is to supply new electro-thermal ice protection technology for the wings of the Boeing 7E7 Dreamliner aircraft, in the first application of this technology to a major wing environment.

In response to the growing market need to test aerospace components for fire survivability in operational conditions, GKN Aerospace has completed the first phase of its plan to develop an approved and comprehensive fire qualification and certification testing service at its site on the Isle of Wight, UK.

GKN Aerospace has delivered its 200th tailcone for the Bombardier CRJ700 and CRJ900 aircraft in a contract valued at $120m.

In a second major A400M contract award this year, GKN Aerospace has been selected as the prime contractor supplying both metal and composite wing trailing edge subassemblies for Airbus Military’s new military strategic airlifter.

See us on booth 7822, National Business Aircraft Association, 12th - 14th October 2004, Las Vegas Convention Centre.

Expect more as GKN Aerospace leads the way in aircraft structures at Farnborough International, 2004. See us in Hall 4, Stand G6, Chalet Row D,14-15.

GKN Aerospace's growing contribution on F/A-18 valued at $1.2bn over the next 25 years.

GKN to build world class advanced aerospace composite centre GKN Aerospace is to establish an Advanced Composites Facility (ACF) dedicated to the development of the next generation of design and manufacturing technologies for large composite aerostructures.

Join a Celebration of Your Contribution to Aerospace

See us in Hall 4, Stand G6, Chalet Row D, 14 -15

See us at Eurosatory, Stand number F20/04

18th-20th May 2004, Booth Number 322.

GKN Aerospace today announces the award of a contract to supply a fully integrated (framed) canopy system for the Boeing F-15C aircraft. This contract award marks a vital step forward for the Company in fulfilling its long-term strategic goal to become the only independent supplier of total, integrated canopy systems.

GKN Aerospace reaches a remarkable milestone with the delivery of the 500th Nacelle for the C-130J military transport aircraft this month.

Following intensive international competitive evaluation, GKN Aerospace has now signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Lockheed Martin to supply the integrated propulsion system for the United States Navy Maritime Multi-Mission Aircraft (MMA) programme.

GKN Aerospace is to design, develop and supply complex carbon wing spars for the Airbus A400M future military airlifter programme - 'the most ambitious European military procurement programme ever undertaken'. This contract is valued at $110m based on the current order book alone and was gained in the face of tough international competition.

Meeting a tight delivery schedule, GKN Aerospace Services (GKNAS) has delivered the two large winglets required for flight tests for the 'Awiator' research programme.

GKN Aerospace Services employs leading edge manufacturing techniques and innovative materials to produce an assembly four times larger than that required for the A340.