GKN Aerospace has launched ASPIRE (Advanced Structural Product Integrated Airframe), a £12 million UK research and development programme focused on advancing next-generation composite wing and flap structures for future aircraft platforms.
The three-year programme, which began in May 2025 and will run until April 2028, brings together a consortium comprising Carbon ThreeSixty, iCOMAT, Lineat, Pentaxia and the University of Bath. The initiative is supported by Axillium and co-funded by the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI).
Under the programme, three full-scale composite wingtip variants will be developed and tested to ultimate load conditions to validate new structural and manufacturing technologies. Each demonstrator will evaluate a different design and production approach, ranging from bonded assemblies to advanced resin transfer moulding (RTM) structures featuring automated deposition, digital twin integration and self-heated tooling technologies.
The project will also assess innovations including iCOMAT’s Rapid Tow Sheared (RTS) lightweight composite technology and Carbon ThreeSixty’s stitched deltoid noodle structures produced using recycled carbon fibres aligned through Lineat’s AFFT process. Analytical and numerical modelling support will be provided by the University of Bath.
In parallel, ASPIRE will develop an optimised composite flap using advanced manufacturing techniques such as RTS skins, tailored fibre-placed brackets, low-energy out-of-autoclave curing moulds and press-cured ribs. A key objective of the programme is to achieve Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL6) for press-cured composite rib technology.
The flap development builds on GKN Aerospace‘s experience in manufacturing composite flaps for the Airbus A350 and is expected to support future single-aisle aircraft programmes.
“ASPIRE is a perfect example of the power of UK collaboration to drive aerospace innovation,” GKN Aerospace said in a statement. “By bringing together specialist SMEs, academic expertise and GKN Aerospace’s industrial leadership, this programme will accelerate the development of high-rate, sustainable composite wing technologies.”
According to the company, the programme is aimed at advancing lightweight, scalable and sustainable composite manufacturing capabilities while strengthening the UK’s position in future aircraft structure development.
FAQ
What is the ASPIRE programme?
ASPIRE (Advanced Structural Product Integrated Airframe) is a £12 million UK aerospace R&D programme led by GKN Aerospace to develop and validate advanced composite wing and flap structures.
How long will the programme run?
The project started in May 2025 and is scheduled to continue until April 2028.
Who are the partners involved?
The consortium includes GKN Aerospace, Carbon ThreeSixty, iCOMAT, Lineat, Pentaxia, the University of Bath and Axillium, with co-funding from the Aerospace Technology Institute.
What is the main objective of ASPIRE?
The programme aims to demonstrate lightweight, sustainable and highly manufacturable composite structures for future aircraft applications.
