SAMPE Europe Amsterdam 2025

Abstract

GKN Aerospace is a partnering in the Clean Aviation project ‘HERWINGT’, focussed on the development and demonstration of key and novel technologies to accelerate the next chapter in innovative wing design for a hybrid electric regional aircraft. One of the main objectives is to mature breakthrough technologies to a higher TRL level. GKN Aerospace is to deploy innovative thermoset and thermoplastic technologies to full-scale outer wing box parts for the static test demonstrator, which is to be delivered during 2025.

The GKN GTC NL, Hoogeveen, is developing the thermoplastic In-Situ Consolidation (ISC) technologies to deliver the full-scale outer wing box stiffened lower skin panel. Key processing advancements in both crystallization and reduction in part warpage have been demonstrated, to overcome two of the most challenging aspects of this technology. The rate of the process makes it difficult to make an adequate business case. However, as part integration and complex shapes are traits of this technology there might be opportunities.

The GKN GTC UK, Bristol, is developing and maturing the Rapid Thermoset Press Moulding technology for the front and rear spar demonstrators. This rapid manufacturing process adopts a new generation fast-cure aerospace material system. It demonstrates a high rate capable isothermal process to form and cure spar components in less than thirty-minutes. This technology is mainly promising