GKN Aerospace, Airbus Helicopters progress industrial partnership

GKN Aerospace (Redditch, U.K.) has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Airbus Helicopters (Marignane, France), marking a significant step in a long-standing partnership. This collaboration follows the recent pre-selection of Airbus Helicopters to deliver 14 H225M helicopters for Special Operations to the Ministry of Defence of the Netherlands.

Under the MU, GKN Aerospace will provide essential support in areas such as engineering, electrical wiring interconnections systems (EWIS) design and manufacturing, as well as maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) activities. It will also lead potential innovation projects and aerostructures design and manufacturing, with a particular focus on composite structures. The collaboration will strengthen the aerospace industry in the Netherlands and foster innovation within the Dutch aerospace ecosystem.

Airbus Helicopters and GKN Aerospace have a long history of collaboration. They are both partners in NHIndustries, the NH90 manufacturing consortium, together with Leonardo (Rome, Italy).

“We have been working closely with Airbus Helicopters as partners on the NH90 program since 1992 and have actively supported them during the pre-selection phase with the Dutch MOD,” Shawn Black, president, defence airframe of GKN Aerospace, says. Black, alongside Matthieu Louvot, executive vice president, programmes, at Airbus Helicopters, sealed the agreement. “The signing of the MOU represents a significant milestone in our collaboration, reinforcing our partnership and setting the stage for future industrial participation. With our combined expertise and unwavering commitment, we will deliver advanced solutions and provide exceptional support to the Netherlands’ helicopter fleet.”

Read about Airbus Helicopters’ work on the H135 helicopter frame and recent RACER developments. In addition to agreements with Airbus, GKN Aerospace is furthering collaborations with Joby Aviation, Supernal and Embraer.