GKN Aerospace has delivered the first all-composite wing spar for the Airbus A400M military airlifter. The 20m (66ft)-long spar marks the first application of carbon composites in the primary ...

GKN Aerospace has optimised automated technology to speed up carbonfibre tape lay-up on the Airbus Military A400M primary wing spar it makes by up to 40 times compared with hand methods.

The wing in Stage 1 assembly the day of the HPC visit was for A400M aircraft number 13. The first step at Stage 1 is spar assembly. Spars are delivered in two sections and joined with customized ...

This builds upon the successful production earlier this year of the single piece composite wing spar, one of the most challenging wing components produced. Chris Everett, GKN Aerospace Senior Vice ...