GKN Aerospace is showcase developments for the military market from its transparencies, emergency flotation and fuel systems businesses at Eurosatory, Paris (16-20 June 2014).
The company’s military activity is worth approaching USD1bn annually and includes metallic and composite airframe and aero-engine structures, transparencies, fuel and flotation systems and niche capabilities such as ice protection. The company is a major supplier on many platforms including the A400M and C130J transport aircraft, the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, the Black Hawk and King Stallion helicopters and the F-35 Lightning II multirole fighter.
On display is the company’s instantly dimmable bullet resistant window technology. This combines proven bullet resistant glazing with ‘suspended particle device’ (SPD-SmartGlassTM) technology to offer vehicle occupants instant ‘on-demand’ light control and attenuation giving privacy and protection from heat, glare, and ultraviolet (UV) light.
Also on display is a special composition glass that is in production for a lightweight BR7 level vehicle. This provides a significantly lighter, thinner transparency with full ballistic protection against the 7.62 armour piercing threat. Excellent light transmission and optical quality is combined with a 15% weight saving over conventional ‘float glass’ kits. This represents a 10kg per door saving on typical door armour for a 4x4 sports utility vehicle.
GKN Aerospace’s self-sealing fuel tanks are at the heart of the display. These tanks and fuel systems enhance a platform’s survivability in today’s intense theatres of operation, providing extended protection for the crew against weapons such as heavy machine guns, vehicle and aircraft armaments. This fuel tank technology includes the market’s most rapid self-sealing response to ballistic damage, protection that can be integrated at the design phase of a vehicle, retro-fitted or externally fitted at a later stage, helping ensure fuel supply is maintained during frontline operations
Advanced emergency flotation systems are also featured. GKN Aerospace is an authority on the specification, design, manufacture and qualification of complete emergency flotation systems and continues to develop new materials and fabrication techniques to meet vital requirements for lighter weight equipment with extended performance and reliability - offering improved crew safety.
Kevin Cummings, CEO, GKN Aerospace comments: “Our strong presence on the right military platforms ensures our activity in the defence sector remains stable and robust even in the challenging market circumstances we face today. From the Osprey to the F-35, the C-130J to the King Stallion, our engineering and technology are key elements in the successful performance of each airframe.”
