GKN Aerospace advanced air portable fuel containers enter service for UK MOD

• Containers allow forces to operate far from regular supply lines
• New manufacturing process reduces container weight by 25% and cost by 30%

GKN Aerospace has been awarded a GBP 2m, five year contract with the UK Ministry of Defence for its latest Mark 5 Air Portable Fuel Containers (APFCs). These are being used to transport fuel to inaccessible points such as forward airstrips, helicopter landing zones and forward operational areas. Deliveries are underway and these items are now in service in Afghanistan.

These latest fuel containers are 25% lower in weight and 30% lower in cost than previous generations of APFC. This is due to the introduction of an innovative new manufacturing process, developed by GKN Aerospace, which replaces the established slow and solvent-heavy, rubber-based production with a process which sprays a polyurethane compound paint onto nylon wire. This new process is much faster, lower cost and is virtually VOC (volatile organic compound) free, so far more environmentally friendly.

GKN Aerospace APFCs are the toughest available on the market. They are extremely rugged: able to function effectively at temperatures as low as minus 26 degrees Celsius and as high as plus 71 degrees Celsius - and will survive down to minus 46 degrees Celsius. The containers are para-droppable, towable for ten miles and aerodynamically designed to offer optimum flight conditions when under-slung on a helicopter. They are qualified for us in cargo aircraft such as the A400M and C-130.

Phil Swash, CEO, GKN Aerospace, Europe and Special Products comments: "In modern operations, the availability of fuel to vital forward activities extends the period of operation of helicopters, aircraft and ground units. It also ensures there is power, heat and communications for military personnel in the field. Our new containers will extend the distance it is possible to transport fuel to reach these points, at a reduced cost to our customer."