GKN Aerospace expands Connecticut facility
Image courtesy GKN Aerospace
The expansion will create new jobs and further strengthens GKN Aerospace’s presence in the US.
The FCMR programme became the largest flight-critical additive component to achieve FAA certification and is on track for 100% serial production by the end of 2025.
The component’s core structure, the additively fabricated ‘hot size ring’, is already being delivered from GKN Aerospace’s Trollhättan facility in Sweden, with final machining completed in Newington. The expansion will support production ramp-up as well as helping to meet wider market demand.
GKN Aerospace’s proprietary additive fabrication process reduces material consumption, shortens production lead times and is projected to achieve over 70% material savings. It will also help to strengthen global supply chains, by offering an alternative production method.
Joakim Andersson, President Engines, GKN Aerospace, said: "This expansion in Connecticut marks a major milestone for GKN Aerospace and our Fan Case Mount Ring programme. The combination of strong local support, the highly skilled workforce and the availability of an aerospace network and infrastructure here allows us to bring our latest additive fabrication technology into industrial-scale production, creating jobs and supporting our long-term relationship with Pratt & Whitney. We are proving that additive fabrication is not only technically transformative but also delivers real-world benefits in sustainability, lead-time and predictability for our customers.”
Sébastien Aknouche, SVP Material Solutions, GKN Aerospace said: "Today we already produce around 30 FCMR units per month at our Trollhättan facility. Expanding our cutting-edge technology, developed in Sweden, to the US will support the full volume of FCMR production in one place. As well as ramping up our production for the FCMR, it will also enable us to expand our additive fabrication offering to other customers in the USA."
GKN Aerospace has two facilities in Connecticut, Newington and Cromwell and employs more than 450 people across the state. The investment builds on its $50 million investment in 2024 to expand sustainable additive fabrication capabilities for civil and military engine platforms globally.
