We were thrilled that GKN Aerospace-led ASCEND was awarded the Team Award for Successful Collaboration and Partnership at the ATI (Aerospace Technology Institute) Conference 2024: Destination Zero!
The award was presented to the team on October 8th 2024 for their groundbreaking progress in composite technology and supply chain development. The ASCEND programme has pushed innovation that will shape the future of high-rate production for civil aircraft as well as in the automotive industry and future mobility markets.
ASCEND is led by GKN Aerospace and includes 15 project partners: Airborne, Assyst Bulmer, Cygnet Texkimp, Cytec Syensqo, DES Composites, FAR-UK, Hexcel, Hive Composites, LMAT, Loop Technology, McLaren Automotive, NCC, Rafinex & Sigmatex, with collaboration managed by Axillium Research.
ASCEND is a cross-sector programme designed to enable the UK aerospace and automotive industries to meet future high-rate production demands. Focused on automation, design for manufacture, and skills development, it is committed to delivering technology that reduces manufacturing costs and carbon footprint whilst enhancing production capabilities.
The innovative technology ASCEND develops includes automating dry fibre deposition for broad goods materials, reducing manual intervention in forming complex internal spars, developing a smart RTM cell with closed-loop feedback and intelligent tooling for aerospace wingtip production as well as establishing a scalable manufacturing process for Type V composite hydrogen fuel tanks.
Russ Dunn CTO GKN Aerospace said: “The ASCEND Programme’s success is a testament to the power of cross-sector collaboration. Our team has not only tackled complex technology challenges to meet future rate requirements but has also inspired new innovations around dry fibre preforming, RTM and rapid cure materials and created numerous partner spin-offs that will benefit both aerospace and automotive industries. The spillover effect of this work is already shaping the future of high-rate, sustainable manufacturing processes across sectors.”
The ATI Team Award highlights the collaborative efforts and partnerships that have been central to ASCEND’s success. This recognition underscores the innovation and teamwork led by GKN Aerospace and its partners, who are together pioneering the future of sustainable, high-rate composite manufacturing, ensuring the UK’s leadership in aerospace and automotive advanced technology.