GKN Aerospace and AFRL launch TITAN-AM

Image courtesy GKN Aerospace

The initiative is focused on advancing and industrialising Laser Metal Deposition with Wire (LMD-w) technology to enable next-generation aerostructures.
 
The TITAN-AM programme will address five critical areas required to enable LMD-w for aerospace structural applications:

• Industrialisation of LMD-w processes for large-scale titanium aerostructure components
• Development of robust titanium material datasets to ensure structural performance and reliability
• Advanced simulation capabilities to optimise structural design and manufacturing outcomes
• Non-destructive inspection (NDI) techniques tailored for additive manufacturing processes
• Demonstration of the technology on selected aerospace structural components

The programme will be executed from GKN Aerospace’s Global Technology Centre in Fort Worth, Texas, a hub for advanced manufacturing innovation and collaboration with U.S. defence and aerospace partners.

David Bond, CTO Airframes for GKN Aerospace said: “TITAN-AM represents a significant step forward in additive manufacturing for aerospace structures. By combining our deep manufacturing expertise with AFRL’s vision, we aim to accelerate the readiness of LMD-w technology and demonstrate its value on operational titanium structural components.”

GKN Aerospace brings more than 20 years of experience in additive technologies and is recognised as a global leader in large-scale additive manufacturing for aerospace structures.

The collaboration reinforces GKN Aerospace’s commitment to advancing additive manufacturing technologies that deliver lighter, stronger and more sustainable structural solutions for defence and commercial aerospace platforms. By leveraging LMD-w, TITAN-AM aims to reduce material waste, shorten production lead times and increase design freedom for complex aerostructures.

GKN Aerospace is already in serial production of major additively manufactured structures that are flying today, including the fan case mount ring for the Pratt & Whitney GTF (Geared Turbofan) engine family. These components are produced using additive manufacturing in Sweden and the United States and are in service on aircraft such as the Airbus A220 and Embraer E195-E2.