FIA: GKN furthers expansion into electric flight with multiple agreements
GKN Aerospace has signed agreements with Airbus, Supernal, Vaeridion and H55 at the Farnborough Airshow this week.
The collaborations, deliveries and programme contributions all further cement GKN’s position as a leading supplier to zero-emissions flight development.
Vaeridion deal
The UK-headquartered supplier is collaborating with Vaeridion to assist in the development of aerostructures and electrical wiring interconnection systems (EWIS) for the Munich-based startup’s electric aircraft.
Arjen Landman, senior vice-president of Civil Programs at GKN Aerospace said: “This collaboration combines GKN Aerospace’s expertise in aerostructures and EWIS with Vaeridion’s innovative approach to electric flight. This partnership underscores our commitment to advancing aviation and will help us support the development of next-generation, energy efficient aircraft.”
As covered previously by Revolution.Aero, Vaeridion is developing a nine-passenger-plus-crew all-electric ‘microliner’ aircraft designed for distances up to 500km. GKN said the aircraft will serve as a use case for “innovative EWIS technology programmes” aimed at electrically powered aircraft.
Ivor van Dartel, co-founder and CEO of Vaeridion, added: “As a start-up OEM, we are developing a clean sheet aircraft as well as the core propulsive battery technology in-house. To ensure we meet our objective of decarbonizing short haul flights before 2030, we are partnering with GKN Aerospace to accelerate the design of light weight Aerostructures and EWIS, as we benefit from GKN’s experience and capabilities for these core work packages.”
H55 collaboration
GKN Aerospace has also signed a collaboration agreement with Swiss battery and electric propulsion system expert H55. Similar to the Vaeridion agreement, the deal focuses on the design, development, certification and industrialisation of EWIS for electric propulsion systems.
H55 has developed an Electric Propulsion System (EPS) that includes an Energy Storage System (ESS) comprising battery packs, battery management systems, and all interfaces, as well as an Electric Propulsion Unit (EPU) featuring a motor and motor controller. The EPS has already been integrated and flown in four different types of aircraft.
Landman said: “GKN has doubled down on developing innovative high-voltage, high-power EWIS solutions for hybrid and all-electric aircraft. Through this collaboration, we are excited to apply these solutions to several electric propulsion systems in the industry.”
According to the companies, the pair will align their technologies to have electric distribution solutions timely available for joint customers. The alignment of the technology agenda will focus on the safe distribution of high voltage power lines throughout hybrid and all-electric aircraft. GKN said it will support this largely from its facility in Papendrecht, The Netherlands.
Martin Larose, CEO of H55, added: “This partnership will leverage our expertise in electric propulsion and battery systems alongside GKN Aerospace’s innovative EWIS solutions. Together, we aim to accelerate the transition to sustainable aviation, ensuring safe and efficient high-voltage power distribution for hybrid and all-electric aircraft.”
Supernal wing and boom delivery
Earlier this week, GKN revealed it has just delivered the full composite wing assembly for Supernal’s eVTOL technology demonstrator. The composite wing assembly and booms — to be delivered later this month — are manufactured and supplied by GKN’s sites in Bristol and Cowes, UK. The delivery follows preliminary agreements initiated in 2022 and 2023.
John Pritchard, president Civil Airframe at GKN said: “Electric aircraft will play a key role in the transition to zero-emissions flight. Delivering these vital aerostructures is a testament to our wealth of experience in the design and high-rate manufacturing of aerostructures. We are proud to be a part of Supernal’s journey in bringing innovative eVTOL solutions to market.”
Jaiwon Shin, president of Hyundai Motor Group and CEO of Supernal added: “Acceptance of the composite wing assembly and booms from GKN Aerospace is an important step in readying Supernal’s Full-scale Technology Demonstrator for at by the end of 2024.”
SusWingS programme
Finally, GKN has agreed a collaboration with Airbus, Cranfield University and the University of Manchester on Airbus’ SusWingS development programme. The £15m ($??m) project has been created to develop high-performance wings and environmentally conscious manufacturing processes. The programme builds on the technologies developed in the Wing of Tomorrow suite of projects which GKN has been involved with since 2020.
Over the past two years, GKN Aerospace 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.
GKN’s Pritchard explained: ”GKN 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.
“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.”
The SusWingS program is currently six months into its timeline, showing promising progress according to GKN, and is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2026.
