GKN Aerospace Joins Airbus’ Sustainable Wing Solutions (SusWingS) R&T Programme with £4M Investment

GKN Aerospace Joins Airbus’ Sustainable Wing Solutions (SusWingS) R&T Programme with £4M Investment

(IN BRIEF) GKN Aerospace has committed £4 million to the Airbus-led Sustainable Wing Solutions (SusWingS) programme, a £15 million initiative focused on developing high-performance wing technologies and environmentally conscious manufacturing processes. This partnership, which includes Cranfield University and the University of Manchester, aims to prepare the UK aerospace industry for a sustainable future, with significant progress expected by Q1 2026.

(PRESS RELEASE) REDDITCH, 24-Jul-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — GKN Aerospace has announced its commitment to the Airbus-led Sustainable Wing Solutions (SusWingS) research and technology programme, investing £4 million in the two-year initiative. The programme, which totals £15 million and includes £8 million in support from the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), aims to develop high-performance wing technologies and environmentally conscious manufacturing processes.

Building on Past Success

Since 2020, GKN Aerospace has played a vital role in the Airbus Wing of Tomorrow programme, delivering three Fixed Trailing Edge assemblies that are now part of full-scale demonstrators being tested at Airbus’ advanced facilities in the UK. The SusWingS initiative is the next phase in this ongoing collaboration, focusing on innovative advancements to prepare the UK aerospace industry for a sustainable future.

Key Focus Areas

The SusWingS programme addresses a comprehensive range of topics in wing design and manufacturing, including:

• Development of single-sided fasteners for one-way assembly, replacing traditional two-piece fasteners
• Advancements in carbon fibre composite materials
• State-of-the-art numerical analysis models for predicting structural behaviour

These technologies will be integrated into major components and assemblies, with a focus on monitoring and minimizing environmental impacts such as VOC, CO2, waste, water, and energy consumption.

Partnership and Collaboration

GKN Aerospace continues its longstanding partnership with Airbus, working alongside Cranfield University and the University of Manchester. This collaboration aims to push the boundaries of aerodynamics, structures, and materials, contributing to a sustainable future for aviation.

John Pritchard, President of Civil Airframe at GKN Aerospace, stated, “GKN Aerospace has worked alongside Airbus on critical wing technologies for several decades, and we are delighted to be continuing that partnership. SusWingS builds on the success of Airbus’ Wing of Tomorrow programme to develop more sustainable wings essential for the next generation of aircraft. Our continued participation underscores GKN Aerospace’s commitment to pioneering more efficient, high-performance technologies.”

Progress and Future Outlook

The SusWingS programme is currently six months into its timeline, showing promising progress, and is expected to be completed by Q1 2026. This initiative underscores GKN Aerospace’s dedication to advancing the critical technologies necessary for the aerospace industry’s transition to a net-zero future.

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SOURCE: GKN Aerospace