Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • GKN focusing on tech innovation at Paris Air Show

Defence Events Current Jobs

GKN focusing on tech innovation at Paris Air Show

At the Paris Air Show this month GKN Aerospace will focus on the expanding technological capabilities that are driving company growth.

With the integration of its new Engine Systems operation (formerly Volvo Aero) now well underway, the company has become one of the leading three engine component suppliers to the international aerospace industry and adds this to established market positions among the global top three suppliers of aerostructures, transparencies and fuel and flotation systems.

Advertisement
ODU RT

GKN Aerospace supplies both metallic and composite structure and believes the recent pace of innovation in metallics will help establish a long term balance of metal and composite content on the airframe. The company is making a key contribution to this surge in metallics innovation, exploring technologies it has identified as offering greatest potential. These include a variety of additive manufacturing (AM) processes. AM has the potential to transform metal manufacture, dramatically lowering critical ‘buy to fly’ costs by producing complex near-net-shape geometries with little material waste and at little cost in energy and carbon emissions.

GKN Aerospace engineers are also progressing two advanced metal welding processes. Friction stir welding will replace bolted or riveted metallic joints with large panels lowering airframe weight and reducing assembly complexity, whilst linear friction welding (LFW) will produce near net shape engineered blanks, lowering material waste and costly manufacturing time.

Within GKN Aerospace’s advanced composites activity, the company is working on improving every step of the manufacturing process from high rate automated deposition through to alternative curing and joining methods, rapid NDT, surface protection and coatings and automated laser repair of damaged structure.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025

In its transparencies business, the company’s development activities are focused on the demand for effective dimmable cabin management technology, including full cabin blackout. The company aims to offer a development of its CrystalVue II™ passenger window - which is the window of choice for aircraft manufacturers and airlines worldwide, with over 2.5 million in service today.

Marcus Bryson (right), CEO, GKN Aerospace and Land Systems, said: “GKN Aerospace offers a powerful combination of world class engineering processes and people, and clear differentiating technologies and this drives our growth. We aim to identify and anticipate trends in products, processes and materials, and to understand and evolve those emerging technologies that will bring maximum value to our customers and their current and future airframe and aero-engine programmes.”

Advertisement
PTC PTC
Evolve Dynamics launches Foxe and Wolfe

Defence

Evolve Dynamics launches Foxe and Wolfe

16 May 2025

British designer and manufacturer of advanced Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), Evolve Dynamics, has launched two new miniaturised platforms, Foxe and Wolfe.

NP Aerospace opens defence facility in Coventry

Defence

NP Aerospace opens defence facility in Coventry

15 May 2025

NP Aerospace has formally opened its new 5.73-acre facility in Coventry, supporting UK job growth and global defence needs.

Navantia UK appoints Donato Martínez as CEO

Defence

Navantia UK appoints Donato Martínez as CEO

15 May 2025

Navantia UK has today appointed Donato Martínez as the company's new CEO, succeeding Juan Ignacio de la Cueva, who accomplished the first steps of the integration of Harland & Wolff, including unlocking key investments for the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme.

Serco awarded Maritime Services contracts to support Royal Navy

Defence

Serco awarded Maritime Services contracts to support Royal Navy

15 May 2025

Serco has been awarded three contracts with a combined value of over £1 billion by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide maritime services for the Royal Navy. The contracts, which replace existing services and expand into new capabilities will commence later this year.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025
AUKUS supply chain strengthened

Defence

AUKUS supply chain strengthened

14 May 2025

H&B Defence – a joint venture between HII Nuclear Australia and Babcock – has secured its first contract to enhance supply chain capabilities for the global AUKUS enterprise through the Australian Submarine Supplier Qualification Pilot Programme.

MoD receives first of six H145s

Defence

MoD receives first of six H145s

13 May 2025

The first of six Airbus H145 helicopters that will serve in Brunei and Cyprus has been handed over to UK MoD.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025