Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • GKN Aerospace takes ownership of GTC in Bristol

Aerospace

GKN Aerospace takes ownership of GTC in Bristol

GKN Aerospace has taken ownership of its new Global Technology Centre (GTC) in Bristol after the keys were officially handed over by developers St Francis Group.

300 engineers to be on site when at full capacity in H2 2021. Image courtesy: GKN Aerospace

The new GTC - funded by a £17m commitment from GKN Aerospace and £15m commitment from the UK Government, through the Aerospace Technology Institute   - will be fully kitted out over the next year and will open in HY2 2021.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle

The new GTC will be GKN Aerospace’s UK technology hub and represents a major commitment to developing the sustainable aerospace technology of the future. The centre will focus on additive manufacturing (AM), advanced composites, assembly and industry 4.0 processes to enable the high rate production of aircraft structures.

The GTC will maintain GKN Aerospace’s position at the forefront of technology development for the next generation of energy efficient aircraft. 

Advertisement
ODU RT

President of GKN Aerospace’s Civil Airframe business, John Pritchard, said:: "T his is a real milestone, we are proud to have taken the next step in the UK GTC development with this hand over and we look forward to completing the building and making it a great place to work. We have dozens of committed industry partners already set to join us at the centre as together we shape a more sustainable future of flight.”

The UK GTC was first announced in December 2018 alongside the UK government’s Aerospace Sector Deal. GKN Aerospace has now secured more than 25 collaboration partners for the new Centre, which will house 300 engineers when at full capacity.

Advertisement
ECS leaderboard banner
Wales to be UK launchpad for advanced autonomous tech

Aerospace Defence Security

Wales to be UK launchpad for advanced autonomous tech

20 February 2026

Thousands of skilled workers in Wales will be involved in the design, testing and manufacture of advanced autonomous technologies and unmanned systems, as a landmark £50 million Defence Growth Deal positions the nation at the forefront of Britain’s defence future.

NPAS increases aircraft available for deployment

Aerospace Security

NPAS increases aircraft available for deployment

19 February 2026

In January this year, the National Police Air Service (NPAS) was able to increase the number of aircraft that were available for operational deployment.

Alloyed secures ATI Programme funding to develop ABD-1000AM

Aerospace

Alloyed secures ATI Programme funding to develop ABD-1000AM

19 February 2026

Developer and manufacturer of advanced metallic components, Alloyed Ltd, has secured funding from the ATI Programme for an ambitious £1 million project to accelerate the development of ABD-1000AM, a next-generation nickel-based superalloy designed for additive manufacturing.

Birmingham Airport publishes new sustainability strategy

Aerospace

Birmingham Airport publishes new sustainability strategy

19 February 2026

Birmingham Airport (BHX) has published its new sustainability strategy for 2026 to 2030, outlining the next strategic steps on its journey to becoming a more sustainable and socially responsible business.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle
UK hydrogen airport trial sets out roadmap for further studies

Aerospace

UK hydrogen airport trial sets out roadmap for further studies

18 February 2026

A new report into the UK’s first airside trial of multiple hydrogen-powered ground support equipment (GSE) has confirmed that hydrogen can be safely and effectively integrated into airport ground operations, whilst setting out a series of essential next steps needed to accelerate hydrogen adoption and decarbonisation across the aviation sector.

Kent collaborates on Pre-FEED study for Eq.flight SAF demo plant

Aerospace

Kent collaborates on Pre-FEED study for Eq.flight SAF demo plant

18 February 2026

Integrated energy services partner, Kent, has collaborated with Equilibrion during a successful bid for funding from the UK Department for Transport’s Advanced Fuels Fund (AFF) and with that funding for Equilibrion and its partners, Kent is delivering the Pre-Front-End Engineering Design (Pre-FEED) for Eq.flight, an advanced power-to-liquids ...

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle
Advertisement
ECS leaderboard banner