GKN Aerospace has given an update on an Airbus programme to develop new wing technology, which the company is a partner on.

The two-year Airbus programme, called Sustainable Wing Solutions (SusWingS), is focused on high-performance wing technologies and environmentally conscious manufacturing processes.

GKN has collaborated with Cranfield University, the University of Sheffield on the Airbus research and technology programme.

This £15m project, supported by £8m from the ATI, builds on the technologies developed in the Wing of Tomorrow suite of projects and introduces innovative advancements to prepare the UK aerospace industry for a sustainable future.

The SusWingS programme is currently six months into its timeline, showing promising progress, and is expected to be completed by Q1 2026. This initiative underscores GKN’s dedication to advance the critical technologies to enable the aerospace industry’s transition to a net zero future.

Since 2020, GKN Aerospace has been a key player in the Airbus-led Wing of Tomorrow programme aimed to revolutionise aircraft wing design. Over the past two years, GKN has successfully delivered three Fixed Trailing Edge assemblies to Airbus. These assemblies are now integral components of three full-scale Wing of Tomorrow demonstrators being tested at Airbus' advanced facilities in Broughton and Filton, UK.

The SusWingS initiative is the next step, addressing a comprehensive range of topics in wing design and manufacturing, including:

• Development of single-sided fasteners for one-way assembly, replacing traditional two-piece fasteners
• Advancements in carbon fibre composite materials
• State-of-the-art numerical analysis models for predicting structural behaviour

By integrating these technologies into major components and assemblies, the project also focuses on monitoring and minimising the environmental impact of these processes, addressing key emissions and sustainability metrics such as VOC, CO2, waste, water and energy.

John Pritchard, president of civil airframe at GKN Aerospace, commented: “GKN Aerospace has worked alongside Airbus on critical wing technologies for several decades and we are delighted to be continuing that partnership. SusWingS builds on the success of Airbus’ Wing of Tomorrow programme, to develop more sustainable wings essential for the next-generation of aircraft. Our continued participation underscores GKN Aerospace’s commitment to pioneering more efficient, high-performance technologies. By collaborating in the UK eco-system with Airbus, Cranfield University and the University of Manchester, we are jointly pushing the boundaries of aerodynamics, structures and materials to shape a sustainable future of flight.”

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