The ASCEND consortium has driven significant advancements in high-rate composite technology through cross-sector collaboration, positioning the UK at the forefront of advanced, sustainable composite manufacturing for next-generation aircraft and future mobility solutions.
GKN Aerospace, in collaboration with McLaren Automotive and other UK partners, proudly announces the successful completion of the ASCEND (Aerospace and Automotive Supply Chain Enabled Development) programme. This four-year, £39.6 million initiative has significantly advanced the UK’s high-rate composite manufacturing capabilities, focusing on high-rate production, Industry 4.0, and sustainable composite manufacturing. Loop Technology are very pleased to have contributed to such an ambitious and worthwhile initiative.
The ASCEND programme, funded by a £20m commitment from industry and a £19.6m commitment from the UK Government via the ATI, aimed to accelerate the adoption of composite technology, industrialize new equipment and methods to help meet future high-volume requirements. The collaboration brought together expertise from across the UK supply chain to develop advanced materials and automation equipment required for lightweight structures in the sustainable air mobility, aerospace, and automotive industries.
The programme brought together 16 partners from the UK’s composites supply chain, each contributing their unique expertise to advance automation, material processing, and tooling. GKN Aerospace led the consortium alongside Assyst Bullmer, Airborne, Cygnet Texkimp, Des Composites, FAR-UK Ltd, Hexcel Composites, Hive Composites, LMAT, Loop Technology, McLaren Automotive, NCC (National Composites Centre), Rafinex, Sigmatex (UK), and Syensqo, with collaboration and investment support from Axillium Research.
Significant progress was made in developing new methods, materials and processes and the programme’s success was highlighted by two flagship projects: GKN Aerospace’s bladed wingtip and McLaren’s rear floor component, both demonstrating the integration of aerospace precision with automotive production rates. The consortium, led from GKN Aerospace’s £32m Global Technology Centre in Bristol, supported up to 130 jobs through 2023 and 2024. GKN Aerospace utilised its long-term experience and in-depth knowledge of composite engineering for integrated airframe structures throughout the project.
John Pritchard, President Civil Airframe GKN Aerospace, said: “GKN Aerospace has deep knowledge and expertise in composite technology, and we are proud to have led this consortium. Through ASCEND, we accelerated the development of next-generation lightweight, cost-effective advanced composite technologies – critical for the aerospace and automotive industries in their transition to more energy-efficient aircraft and vehicles. Successfully developing and demonstrating high-rate manufacturing capabilities across the UK supply chain has reinforced our position as an industry leader and underscored our commitment to sustainability. With the support of the Aerospace Technology Institute, which continues to play a vital role in advancing the UK’s position in next-generation aircraft, we have delivered key technological breakthroughs while achieving benchmark levels of price, quality, and repeatability.”
Loop Technology’s FibreFORM, FibreEYE and FibreROLL were all enhanced under the ASCEND programme. FibreEYE is a cutting-edge composite inspection system that uses 3D laser profile technology and segmentation algorithms to provide highly accurate ply placement monitoring. It also leverages advanced imaging techniques with Artificial Intelligence to create a comprehensive inspection ecosystem and document defect characteristics and locations. FibreFORM is a trailblazing pick and place end effector that can manipulate large plies of carbon fibre and other composite material into a multitude of profiles, including 3D double curvatures, for automated high rate layup onto a mould. FibreROLL is a scalable storage, pick and place system that can layup dry fibre plies up to 20 metres in length.
The ASCEND programme not only achieved its technological goals but also established a new paradigm for cross-sector collaboration, creating a robust supply chain and skilled workforce to support future innovations in composite manufacturing. The programme’s legacy extends far beyond its immediate achievements, positioning the UK composites industry for sustained growth and innovation in the decades ahead.