GKN Aerospace has completed the engineering, manufacture, and full prototype integration of flight-ready wings, fins, and control surfaces for the UK’s first Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) prototype, called Brontanax. Progressing from a clean-sheet design within an accelerated timeline, BAE Systems utilised GKN Aerospace’s advanced composite manufacturing and assembly capabilities to meet strict technical requirements. This delivery highlights GKN Aerospace’s agility in defence manufacturing and its commitment to advancing the UK’s next-generation sovereign air combat capabilities.
Rupert Dix, SVP Defence, GKN Aerospace said: “This is the latest example of GKN Aerospace’s ability to turn complex, clean-sheet designs into flight-ready reality at an unprecedented pace. By combining our advanced engineering with cutting-edge manufacturing, we are actively shaping the future of next-generation combat air power for the UK and our global allies.”
Mark Wilson, Head of Autonomous Collaborative Platforms, BAE Systems said:”The rapid progression from concept to prototype integration is a remarkable achievement. GKN Aerospace’s industrial expertise, agility and commitment to collaboration have been pivotal in delivering high-quality, flight-ready structures within an extraordinarily compressed timeline.”
The successful delivery of the prototype components required an agile approach to product development and supply chain management, with global expertise in world-class composite manufacture, novel tooling design, and complex product assembly. Using its connected network of sites, GKN Aerospace delivered the full range of flight-ready products in an accelerated timescale. The components were manufactured at GKN Aerospace’s state-of-the-art composite design and assembly facility at Cowes on the Isle of Wight. This milestone reinforces the company’s reputation for the rapid delivery of novel, airworthy prototypes alongside its established commercial production programmes. This latest programme underlines GKN Aerospace’s determination and willingness to apply its extensive sovereign industrial capabilities and expertise to meet the current and future needs of the UK defence sector alongside its other global customers.
GKN Aerospace is the world’s leading multi-technology tier 1 aerospace supplier, with a mission to be the most trusted and sustainable partner in the sky. As a global company serving the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers, GKN Aerospace designs, manufactures and delivers an extensive range of advanced aerospace systems, components and technologies – for use in commercial and defense aircraft ranging from helicopters, business jets, passenger planes and advanced air mobility vehicles to the most advanced fighter aircraft. In line with its mission, GKN Aerospace is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Lightweight composites, additive manufacturing, electrical wiring interconnection systems and innovative engine systems help to reduce emissions and weight on today’s aircraft, while it collaborates with global partners to accelerate the development of zero-emission aircraft technologies, including hydrogen-powered propulsion and all-electric flight. GKN Aerospace is market leading in aerostructures and engine systems, with 16,000 employees across its 36 manufacturing locations in 12 countries.
