Sustainable technologies and specialist knowledge from across GKN Aerospace, including the UK, Netherlands, Germany, India and Romania
7 June 2021: GKN Aerospace has recently delivered the first fully-integrated wings, empennage and EWIS featuring advanced composite technology for Eviation’s all-electric aircraft ‘Alice’.
GKN Aerospace and Eviation announced the collaboration agreement covering the design and manufacture of wings, empennage and electrical wiring interconnection systems (EWIS) in May 2020. The rapid development and delivery showcases GKN Aerospace’s ability to support the faster time-to-market of electrical aircraft. Alice is preparing for its first flight later this year and will fly nine passengers for up to 440 nautical miles.
UK Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “It is great to see GKN Aerospace flying the flag for green aviation and driving forward the technology necessary to end our contribution to climate change.The fantastic work happening at GKN Aerospace’s new world-leading Global Technology Centre – which this government has helped to fund – is wonderful news for our plans to invest in the next generation of green aviation technologies here at home, bring them to market and then to our skies.”
John Pritchard President Civil Airframe, GKN Aerospace said: “The development of all-electric aircraft is a game-changer. This first delivery is not only an important milestone in our collaboration with Eviation, but also in the quest for more sustainable and environmentally friendly aviation. GKN Aerospace is proud to bring its wealth of experience in design and certification, as well as technology leadership, to achieve this landmark.”
The build and assembly has been supported with products manufactured in Cowes, Filton, Western Approach and Hoogerheide (NL). Final assembly and integration was completed at the brand new £32M Global Technology Centre in Bristol.
