Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Aerospace

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.

Advertisement
ODU RT

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.

Advertisement
Leonardo animated rectangle

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.

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
Airbus completes acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems

Aerospace

Airbus completes acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems' sites

8 December 2025

Airbus has closed the transaction with Spirit AeroSystems for the acquisition of industrial assets dedicated to its commercial aircraft programmes, including those providing wing components for the A320 and A350 in Prestwick, Scotland and for A220 wings and A220 mid-fuselage production in Belfast.

Scottish Airspace Modernisation consultation reaches halfway point

Aerospace

Scottish Airspace Modernisation consultation reaches halfway point

8 December 2025

The Scottish Airspace Modernisation consultation, which launched on 20th October, has reached its midpoint, with the Coordinated Airspace Change Proposals (ACPs) - led jointly by NATS, Edinburgh Airport and Glasgow Airport - giving communities, political representatives and other stakeholders the opportunity to share their views.

GKN Aerospace to expand additive manufacturing capabilities in Norway

Aerospace

GKN Aerospace to expand additive manufacturing capabilities in Norway

8 December 2025

GKN Aerospace Norway and Norwegian Catapult Manufacturing Technology in Kongsberg (Kongsberg Technology Cluster) have signed a strategic agreement to invest in and expand advanced additive manufacturing capabilities at GKN Aerospace’s engines facility in Kongsberg.

ADS reports seven year high for aircraft deliveries

Aerospace

ADS reports seven year high for aircraft deliveries

5 December 2025

According to ADS, commercial aircraft manufacturers delivered 132 aircraft in October 2025 - increasing by two thirds (67%) compared to October 2024 - marking the highest number of aircraft deliveries for the month of October since 2018.

Advertisement
Leonardo animated rectangle
Britten-Norman BN2T-4S Islander approved by TCAA

Aerospace

Britten-Norman BN2T-4S Islander approved by TCAA

2 December 2025

UK aircraft manufacturer Britten-Norman has received Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) type certification for the BN2T-4S Islander, the Rolls-Royce Model 250–powered turboprop variant of the company’s iconic utility aircraft.

CAA confirms summer 2025 busiest ever for UK aviation

Aerospace

CAA confirms summer 2025 busiest ever for UK aviation

2 December 2025

The Civil Aviation Authority’s latest aviation trends report confirms that 2025 saw the busiest summer ever for UK aviation.

Advertisement
ODU RT