GKN Aerospace to Produce Novel Winglet

GKN Aerospace is developing an advanced winglet lower skin, produced as part of an advanced winglet development project. The effort is part of a GBP12 million Structures Technology Maturity (STeM) program focused on developing an innovative winglet using fully automated manufacturing processes. GKN Aerospace leads this project, with Bombardier, Spirit, and GE partnering. GKN Aerospace is also providing GBP1.8 million in funding which is matched by TSB (Technology Strategy Board [UK]) support.

 

Winglets have become an established feature of wing design because they provide valuable benefits in increased aircraft rate of climb, reduced fuel burn, and a reduced noise footprint. The goal of this GKN Aerospace-led project has been to develop an innovative winglet design and simultaneously progress production processes that will decrease production times and improve end-product quality, consistency, and repeatability.

 

The advanced winglet’s lower skin is a demonstrator component part with a complex geometry. It has been manufactured from carbon fiber at the UK’s National Composites Centre (NCC) using the latest automated fiber placement (AFP) technology. Its design has employed the latest software tools and the development process has been used to prove new modeling, manufacturing, and testing methods and advance their readiness for use in future production programs.

 

Rich Oldfield, Technical Director, GKN Aerospace comments: “We face twin challenges to improve airframe performance and to achieve far higher aircraft production rates than have been achievable until now. We believe the combined focus of the STeM program will bring benefits on both fronts – and having access to the resources of the NCC is allowing us to work alongside our partners to progress the technologies and processes that are critical to achieving our goals.”

 

The aim of the STeM Project is to support new concepts in wing structure and manufacturing that enable expansion of the boundaries of aerodynamic performance and contribute to securing work in the UK for the next generation of aircraft.