General Atomics

Airframe Designs expands green credentials

Airframe Designs has stepped up its commitment to becoming a sustainable manufacturer with a series of environmental initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint.



Image courtesy Airframe Designs

The organisation has increased the number of solar panels it uses to generate energy for its site in Blackpool from 80 to 150 panels, increasing the battery storage capacity from 22.5 kilowatts to 37.5 kilowatts.

At the same time, the company has committed to a new waste process to ensure all refuse is recycled at its recently expanded site.

The PLA polymer used by Airframe Designs in the 3D printing process is also being recycled into PLA filament for re-use in the manufacturing process.

Jerrod Hartley, CEO of Airframe Designs, said: “The energy we generate from the solar panels is enough to run our engineering operation, but we are seeking efficiencies across all of our site. These incremental initiatives all help towards our longer term plans of being a sustainable business contributing to carbon reduction and NetZero.”

Airframe Designs recently proved its commitment to environmental management and continual improvement by successfully achieving the prestigious ISO 14001 certification. The audit required the organisation to assess environmental issues relevant to its operation including waste management, use of resources and efficiency.

ISO 14001 is an internationally-recognised standard for environmental management systems which validates a company’s commitments to regulatory environmental requirements in the way it operates its business.

Airframe Designs continues to grow its specialisms in producing highly complex components to some of the largest aviation, defence and space organisations worldwide.

Recent projects undertaken by the company include the integration of new systems into heavy lift drone platforms, conceptual design at a platform level for new uncrewed air-systems, test rig and tooling for electric vehicle propulsion systems and most recently the design and analysis of operator consoles for a special mission aircraft.

Related

Sigma Advanced Systems to acquire Bromford Precision Solutions
Bromford Precision Solutions workers
Sigma Advanced Systems to acquire Bromford Precision Solutions
Sigma Advanced Systems, parent company of Nasmyth, is set to acquire Bromford Precision Solutions in a move that will strengthen UK aerospace manufacturing capability.
Aerospace Member News

15 Jul 2026

ADS surpasses 2,000 member organisations for the first time
ADS at Farnborough International Airshow
ADS surpasses 2,000 member organisations for the first time
ADS has passed 2,000 member organisations for the first time, following a record year of membership growth across aerospace, defence, security and space.
Menzies Aviation launches fuel operations at Aberdeen International Airport
Menzies aviation refuelling at aberdeen
Menzies Aviation launches fuel operations at Aberdeen International Airport
Menzies Aviation has commenced into-plane fuelling and fuel farm operations at Aberdeen International Airport.
Aerospace Member News

15 Jul 2026

QinetiQ enhances EW test and training capability for British MoD
Illustration of an electronic warfare emitter transmitting radio-frequency signals across a maritime environment, with signals interacting between a naval vessel, aircraft, missile and radar system.
QinetiQ enhances EW test and training capability for British MoD
QinetiQ has invested in an advanced electronic warfare (EW) emitter system, designed to better train and prepare military personnel for real life scenarios in increasingly complex threat environments.
Defence Member News

15 Jul 2026

GE Aerospace to power UK’s AW149 New Medium Helicopter fleet
Leonardo AW149 for UK New Medium Helicopter
GE Aerospace to power UK’s AW149 New Medium Helicopter fleet
Leonardo has selected GE Aerospace’s CT7-2E1 engine for the UK’s 23 AW149 helicopters, completing another milestone in the NMH programme.
Defence Member News

15 Jul 2026

Scotland to receive major share of UK’s £26 billion naval base investment
HMS Clyde Royal Naval Base
Scotland to receive major share of UK’s £26 billion naval base investment
Why UK is investing £26 billion in infrastructure upgrades to address the Royal Navy's poor readiness and strengthen resilience.
Defence

15 Jul 2026

ADS surpasses 2,000 member organisations for the first time
ADS at Farnborough International Airshow
ADS surpasses 2,000 member organisations for the first time
ADS has passed 2,000 member organisations for the first time, following a record year of membership growth across aerospace, defence, security and space.
More than 600 finance leaders confirmed for Farnborough International Airshow
Aerospace Global News Theatre at Farnborough International Airshow
More than 600 finance leaders confirmed for Farnborough International Airshow
Farnborough International Airshow will bring together more than 600 finance and investment leaders for its first dedicated summit connecting capital with aerospace, defence, space and security.
York completes $300m acquisition of ALL.SPACE
York Space Systems completes acquisition of ALL.SPACE
York completes $300m acquisition of ALL.SPACE
York Space Systems has completed its acquisition of ALL.SPACE, bringing multi-orbit terminal technology together with space infrastructure and mission operations capability.
Member News Space

11 Jul 2026

ADS surpasses 2,000 member organisations for the first time
ADS at Farnborough International Airshow
ADS surpasses 2,000 member organisations for the first time
ADS has passed 2,000 member organisations for the first time, following a record year of membership growth across aerospace, defence, security and space.
More than 600 finance leaders confirmed for Farnborough International Airshow
Aerospace Global News Theatre at Farnborough International Airshow
More than 600 finance leaders confirmed for Farnborough International Airshow
Farnborough International Airshow will bring together more than 600 finance and investment leaders for its first dedicated summit connecting capital with aerospace, defence, space and security.
£251m policing package to strengthen protection for Jewish communities
Police on patrol to protect Jewish citizens
£251m policing package to strengthen protection for Jewish communities
The government has announced more than £250 million over three years to increase policing, counter-terrorism capability and specialist protection for Jewish communities across England and Wales.
Security

13 Jul 2026