- 16 January 2005 -
GKN produces composite components for X-47B

GKN AEROSPACE is to produce the composite skins, covers and doors for Northrop Grumman’s X-47B Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems (J-UCAS) aircraft. GKN says that if the X-47B enters full production, the total value of the contract would be over US$500 million.

The composite skins, which will cover nearly 90% of the unmanned vehicles' surface, will be manufactured at GKN Aerospace's St. Louis, Missouri, USA, facility alongside the actuated doors for the vehicle, including the weapon's bay, nose and main landing gear doors.

GKN Aerospace is also responsible for the design, tooling and manufacture of the outboard wing and the forward centre fuselage section of the air vehicle. The outboard wings of the aircraft are of composite, aluminium and titanium design; the centre fuselage is aluminium.

GKN Aerospace; www.gknplc.com

 

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