The agreement will see GKN Aerospace providing sustainable material solutions for GE Aerospace’s range of aircraft engines.
GKN Aerospace and GE Aerospace have signed a new agreement to expand their long-standing collaboration on several industry-leading engines, including the GEnx project, the fastest-selling high-thrust engine.
The new agreement focuses on three major areas: the incorporation of new technologies, the fabrication and assembly of fan cases, and the repair of large-volume, complicated engine constructions, according to a statement.
UK-based GKN Aerospace is a multi-technology tier 1 aerospace supplier specializing in equipment like airframes, engine structures, landing gear, and electrical interconnection systems. On the other hand, GE Aerospace is a world-leading provider of commercial and military jet engines, components, and systems, which boasts over 40,000 commercial and 26,000 military aircraft engines in service.
Both the firms have partnered on several projects for the last 40 years, and over the years, GKN Aerospace has “furthered responsibility across all major GE engines and today we are in long-term partnerships with design authority for multiple programs,” said Joakim Andersson, President of GKN Aerospace’s Engines business, in a statement.
The new collaboration will now see the introduction of sustainable new material solutions, as well as life-of-program contracts for GE Aerospace’s GEnx, CF6, GE90, and GE9X fan cases.
GEnx project
The GEnx is GE Aviation’s fastest-selling high-thrust engine. This powertrain propels the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Boeing 747-8, making it the fastest-selling widebody jet engine in GE Aerospace history, with over 3,000 engines in operation and on order.
According to the firms, GEnx’s ground-breaking technology insertion projects will focus on alternative material options, offering a more sustainable manufacturing footprint for various items now in flight. From 2024 to 2030, upgraded components will go through development, validation, and insertion. “GKN Aerospace will contribute component design experience as well as cutting-edge technology to help the GEnx program meet its carbon emissions reduction and cost-cutting goals,” said a statement.
Under the new arrangement, GKN Aerospace has also secured life-of-program contracts for a series of GE engines. For the program, it will now provide 100% of GEnx, CF6, and GE90 fan cases, as well as 50% of GE9X fan case assembly. The partnership ensures that GKN Aerospace will get involved to “develop the right technologies and solutions for world-leading engines such as the GEnx and CF6 for today and the future,” said Andersson.
The GE CF6 engine family is the longest-running commercial jet engine program, having entered service in 1971 as GE’s first successful powerplant for the commercial widebody aircraft class. On the other hand, the GE90 engine debuted in 1990, was GE Aerospace’s first engine in the 100,000-pound thrust class, and became one of the most technologically sophisticated commercial turbofan engines in 25 years.
Furthering repair network
The last component of the expanded cooperation sees GKN Aerospace join GE Aerospace’s maintenance network, providing specialist repair content to the GEnx. GKN Aerospace will use its experience in structural design and manufacturing of sophisticated fabrications across its worldwide repair network to fix large-volume, complicated structures.
With the partnership, GE Aerospace aims to leverage GKN Aerospace’s capabilities in aircraft design and production to fulfill its order book. “We are excited to expand our strategic relationship with GKN. Their design expertise and production capability will enable us to continue to meet strong demand for the GEnx engine, and their component repair development will offer a cost-saving choice for our services customers,” said Kathy MacKenzie, Vice President of GE Aerospace commercial programs, in a statement.
GKN Aerospace recently partnered with Parker Aerospace and Marshall to investigate liquid hydrogen fuel system technologies for the next generation of zero-emission aircraft, hoping to find a viable alternative to fossil fuels.
