GE believes its membership of the National Composites Centre (NCC) will help reinforce the position of its Aerostructures business as a Tier 1 partner for future aircraft programmes.
| Developing blade systems which improve aircraft performance, efficiency and passenger comfort is at the heart of our research strategy ... |
| Oliver Towers, President, Dowty Propellers |
GE’s Dowty Propellers business will also work with the NCC to enhance its composite blade technologies for turboprop engines and other aviation propulsion systems.
As a Tier 1 member of the NCC, GE joins Airbus, GKN Aerospace, AugustaWestland, Rolls-Royce, Vestas and Cytec.
Composites in the UK
GE Aviation is investing in the UK. In June, it announced the construction of a new composites production facility at its Hamble, UK, site. This is part of a 5-year, US$50 million-plus investment at the site to support the manufacture of wing components for the Airbus A350 XWB aircraft family.
The NCC opened in Bristol in 2011 and serves as the UK’s centre of excellence for composite materials and manufacturing technology development. It is a key part of the UK Composites Strategy unveiled by the government in 2009.
As well as working with GE Aviation, the NCC can also support GE's businesses in the oil and gas, medical, transportation and renewable energy sectors.
