GKN Aerospace Future Flight Challenge to accelerate sustainable aerospace technologies

GKN Aerospace (Redditch, U.K.) is helping develop the next generation of sustainable technology through three ground-breaking collaborative programs as part of the Future Flight Challenge, a four-year, £125 million ISCF program from UK Research and Innovation to develop more sustainable aviation solutions and maintain the U.K.’s decarbonization targets. Taking a leading role in the programs, the company will be delivering them from its new £32 million Global Technology Center in Bristol.

“We’re investing in ambitious projects to make flying more sustainable and ensure passengers have greater choice about how they travel,” says Minister for Business Paul Scully. “Pioneering research supported by government funding will help the U.K. build back greener from the pandemic, remain at the forefront of aerospace research and development, and provide global leadership in the next aviation revolution. I look forward to seeing such proposals take flight.”

With 15 collaborators and an initial investment of £4.5 million, all three programs — Skybus, Safe Flight and NAPKIN — will focus on electrification, unmanned commercial flight and more sustainable regional aerospace solutions to drive connectivity; the current phase is specifically focused on the development of integrated aviation systems that enable new classes of electric or autonomous air vehicles. 

Skybus explores a novel transport network, based on large electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles capable of carrying between 30-50 passengers each. Taking the “park and ride” concept into the air for mass transit over extremely congested routes, GKN Aerospace hopes to eliminate the 2D constraints of current surface transport modes including cars, trains and buses. It is said that this will offer direct benefits in reduced travel time at affordable fares, and reduce the congestion on current ground transport vehicles. Skybus is led by GKN Aerospace with the following partners: Swanson Aviation Consultancy, Pascall+Watson and Connected Places Catapult.

Safe Flight’s proposal addresses technological challenges, in terms of the integration of a range of cutting-edge technologies in real-world use case demonstrations. More importantly, says GKN Aerospace, this project also looks at the underpinning business need of a clear route to certifiable aircraft systems and approved operations. The following partners: University of Bath, 3UG Autonomous Systems and Callen-Lenz.

NAPKIN will model and pilot a U.K.-wide domestic sustainable aviation network promoting zero carbon emissions, connectivity where surface infrastructure is lacking, as well as U.K. business growth and competitiveness. NAPKIN is led by Heathrow Airport, in collaboration with GKN Aerospace, Rolls Royce, Highlands & Islands Airports, Deloitte, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions, London City Airport, University of Southampton, University College London and Cranfield University.

“We are committed to a more sustainable future for aviation and our technologies will keep us at the forefront of this challenge. No one company can achieve this alone and these Future Flight Challenge programs highlight the importance of collaboration in achieving this aim,” adds Max Brown, vice president Technology at GKN Aerospace. “It is a great example of public-private collaboration as well as the importance of government in supporting the aerospace industry, through it’s industrial strategy. We look forward to working together to deliver the next generation of sustainable air travel.”