GKN Aerospace celebrates NBAA launch of Dassault Aviation's new Falcon 5X business jet

GKN Aerospace is celebrating the launch, at NBAA - 22 - 24 October 2013, of Dassault Aviation's next generation large cabin long-range Falcon 5X business jet platform. The company is a key supplier on this aircraft, responsible for the design, build and support of the wing trailing edge (WTE) moveable surfaces and the supply and support of the low pressure turbine (LPT) case for Snecma's advanced Silvercrest® engine, which powers this aircraft. GKN Aerospace is at booth C9030 at NBAA, 22 - 24 October, 2013

The WTE activity, which encompasses wing flaps, flaperons, ailerons and airbrakes, is taking place at GKN Aerospace's Filton, UK operation whilst the LPT case is manufactured at the company's facility in Kongsberg, Norway. GKN Aerospace also has engineers supporting this programme co-located with the Dassault Falcon 5X team in France.

Innovative manufacturing and assembly processes have been introduced across these work packages including the first application of additive manufacturing techniques in the manufacture of the leading edges on the flaps.

Phil Swash, President and CEO, Aerostructures - Europe at GKN Aerospace comments: "Dassault is one of the premier aircraft design and manufacturing businesses today and we are extremely proud to make our contribution to this new, high performance airframe. We believe our breadth of technological expertise in both metallic and composite structures - and across aerostructures and aero-engines - has ensured we thoroughly understand and can effectively apply advances in materials and processes. This has ensured we achieve the challenging performance goals Dassault has specified for this next generation aircraft."