GKN Puts Composites & Titanium Expertise Together for F-22 Contract

F-22 Raptor DID has covered GKN Aerospace’s recent acquisition of Stellex, as part of its move to strengthen its position in titanium. While titanium is an increasingly important metal to the aerospace industry, other trends like the rise in composite materials are also worth attention. A recent contract from Lockheed Martin in Marietta, GA brings these trends together. GKN recently won a $50 million contract to be the sole source provider of complete horizontal stabilators (i.e. fully-moving horizontal tail fins) for lots 7-9 of the F-22 Raptor (about 60 aircraft), bringing the total value of GKN Aerospace work on the F-22 to $4.9 million per aircraft. GKN Aerospace manufactures high performance metallic and composite assemblies for the F-22’s wing, body, and engine; as well as supplying the complete advanced cockpit canopy system. This contract requires the fabrication of advanced composite assemblies, machining of complex titanium parts, and full assembly of the complete stabilator, all under one roof at the GKN Aerospace plant in St Louis, MO. The plant has been the subject of a comprehensive 2 year investment program in order to create this all-in-one capability set; deliveries will begin in Q4 2007 and continue until the end of 2010. […]