Defence

GKN Aerospace wins F-100 engine structure contract

Posted 2 June 2015

GKN Aerospace Chem-tronics Inc. has been selected by the United States Tinker Air Force Base to supply 147 turbine nozzle support structures for the Pratt & Whitney F-100 series engines which power USAF F-15 and F-16 aircraft, with the contract worth nearly $10 million.

Above: Two F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, fly over Europe on 20 March, 2015. The aircraft were participating in a flying training deployment with the Estonian air force and also participating in additional, unrelated training with the Finnish and Swedish air forces.
Courtesy USAF: photo by Senior Airman Christine Griffiths

These are critical spares items for the United States Air Force, as well as other allied nations’ operational fleets of F16 and F15 aircraft. They support the aft nozzle exit section in the rear of the engine on all Pratt & Whitney F-100 series engines.

Manufacture of these complex titanium alloy structures will be undertaken by the company’s highly skilled team at its GKN Aerospace Chem-tronics Inc operation in El Cajon, California, with deliveries commencing in 2015 and completed by December 2017. This facility has manufactured this item previously for Tinker Air Force Base.

Production of each support structure requires extensive expertise in a variety of skilled processes. Hot-forming is used to create the shell body skins for each structure. Flanges are welded on with stiffeners attached using spot welding and numerous additional items attached with fasteners.

Darren Levack, Vice-President and General Manager at GKN Aerospace Chem-tronics Inc commented: “We have been manufacturing these vital structures for the F-100 engine since 2009, using the fabrication skills that our site is renowned for. Our aim is to continue to provide the high levels of expertise that will allow us to fulfill future spares requirements for all F-15 and F-16 operators.”

GKN Aerospace Chem-tronics Inc. also manufactures the forward, rear and augmentor fan cases for the F-100 engine and builds many similar engine case products for the F-119 and F-135 engines.