Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • GKN Aerospace fuel systems selected for Predator B MQ-9B

Defence

GKN Aerospace fuel systems selected for Predator B MQ-9B

GKN Aerospace has signed a development agreement with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) covering the design, development and manufacture of fuel bladders for the MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) system.

The agreement covers the fuel bladder system for the first production aircraft slated for 2018, with a potential full contract value of USD15M when the aircraft enters into service with NATO’s UAV AIRWORTHINESS REQUIREMENTS (defined in STANAG 4671). MQ-9B is a "Type-Certifiable" version of GA-ASI’s Predator® B product line.

Advertisement
ODU RT 2

GKN Aerospace will work in conjunction with GA-ASI to design and manufacture the fuel bladders at the GKN Aerospace facility in Tallassee, Alabama. The proven engineering process includes a vacuum forming process, coupled with the latest poly-urethane (PU) material, which is extremely durable and lightweight. The new fuel bladder also includes improved rubber fittings to provide better tear resistance.

Vacuum forming allows GKN Aerospace to create fuel bladders in complex shapes that fully exploit all available space on the MQ-9B airframe, maximising the fuel load capacity and platform endurance. These developments also produce a bladder system with a lower parts count, simplifying manufacture, bladder installation and system support.

Staffan Svensson, vice president of GKN Aerospace Special Products Group said: “We look forward to working with GA-ASI to provide a vital fuel system solution for this long-endurance Predator B platform variant. We have been supplying fuel systems for many decades and for many airframe platforms and MQ-9B fully exploits all our recent advances in both manufacturing and materials technologies.”

Advertisement
Advanced Engineering RT

 

Advertisement
L3Harris L3Harris
BMT SPARO project secures British Army funding

Defence

BMT SPARO project secures British Army funding

23 April 2024

In a major development for the BMT SPARO project, the British Army’s Futures Directorate has provided funding to build, supply and demonstrate the latest prototype for UK medics who took part in Project CONVERGENCE, the premier US Army experimentation exercise in March.

Sixth Astute class submarine officially named Agamemnon

Defence Events

Sixth Astute class submarine officially named Agamemnon

23 April 2024

The Royal Navy’s latest Astute Class submarine has been officially named at BAE Systems’ Submarines site in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. Agamemnon - named after the ancient Greek king - is the sixth of seven Astute submarines being built by the Company. She is due to be launched later this year, ahead of being commissioned into the Royal Navy.

BAE Systems selects HDUSA to modernise Radford Army Ammunition Plant

Defence

BAE Systems selects HDUSA to modernise Radford Army Ammunition Plant

22 April 2024

BAE Systems Ordnance Systems Inc. (OSI) has selected Hanwha Defense USA (HDUSA), the US defence subsidiary of Hanwha Aerospace in South Korea, to modernise an existing production building at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant, Virginia, USA.

James Fisher & Sons strengthens defence presence in Barrow-in-Furness

Defence

James Fisher & Sons strengthens defence presence in Barrow-in-Furness

22 April 2024

James Fisher & Sons plc has further strengthened its 177 year commitment to Barrow-in-Furness through a dedicated defence presence within its company headquarters.

Advertisement
Marshall RT
NP Aerospace progresses Raytheon HELWS on Wolfhound

Defence

NP Aerospace progresses Raytheon HELWS on Wolfhound

19 April 2024

NP Aerospace has announced it is one of the key partners on the UK MoD’s Laser Directed Energy Weapon Land Demonstrator programme working with Raytheon UK to progress integration of Raytheon’s High-Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) onto the Wolfhound vehicle.

Roke opens Gloucester office

Aerospace Defence Security

Roke opens Gloucester office

19 April 2024

Romsey headquartered technology company Roke, has today officially opened its new bespoke office space in Gloucester, as it focuses on further expansion, innovation and technological growth in the area and for the UK.

Advertisement
Marshall RT 2