GKN Aerospace and GE have deepened their long-term partnership on a series of industry-leading engines including the GEnx programme, the fastest-selling high-thrust engine. The new agreement focuses on three key areas: new technology insertion, fan case production and assembly, and repair of high volume, complex engines structures. The ground-breaking technology insertion programmes on the GEnx will focus on alternative material solutions, providing a more sustainable manufacturing footprint for several products currently flying. Upgraded components are expected to go through development, validation and insertion from 2024 to 2030.
Joakim Andersson, President of GKN Aerospace’s Engines business, said: “GE Aerospace and GKN Aerospace have had a strong relationship for more than 40 years and we are extremely proud of our partnership. Over the years we have grown our responsibility across all major GE engines and today we are in long-term partnerships with design authority for multiple programmes. This major new agreement is the next step. It ensures that we will continue to jointly develop the right technologies and solutions for world-leading engines such as the GEnx and CF6 for today and the future.”
Kathy MacKenzie, Vice President, GE Aerospace commercial programs stated: “We are excited to expand our strategic relationship with GKN. Their design expertise and production capability will enable us to continue to meet strong demand for the GEnx engine, and their component repair development will offer a cost-saving choice for our services customers.”
GKN Aerospace will provide component design expertise as well as its latest technologies, to help drive the GEnx programme towards its targets on carbon emissions reduction targets and cost reduction. GKN Aerospace has also secured life-of-programme contracts under the new agreement. It will now deliver 100% of GEnx, CF6 and GE90 fan cases, as well as 50% of GE9X fan case assembly for the duration of the programme. The final element of the enhanced partnership sees GKN Aerospace join GE Aerospace’s repair network, supporting the GEnx with specialised repair content. GKN Aerospace will deploy its expertise in structural design-and-make of advanced fabrications to repair high volume, complex structures across its global repair network.
