GKN Aerospace has delivered the first windshields as part of a contract with Boeing to design and develop, bird strike test and qualify the new anti-spall windshields for the P-8A Poseidon aircraft.

These new windshields incorporate GKN Aerospace's proven anti-spall technology which provides improved pilot protection in the event of bird strike and offers a 5% weight reduction. GKN Aerospace will supply all 5 SDD (System Design and Development) windshield ship sets by October 2010.

The number one and number two windshields for the P-8A incorporate GKN Aerospace's certified anti spall technology and introduce an all polyurethane interlayer, replacing the traditional PVB interlayer, to provide extended service life. The new design also incorporates thinner, higher strength, 1020T glass which reduces the window set weight by some four pounds (4lbs), representing a 5% weight saving.

Jim Gibson, Chief Operating Officer, Special Products Group, GKN Aerospace, comments: "Our anti-spall, lighter weight windscreens have now been successfully installed in P-8A System Design and Development (SDD) aircraft for testing. The design and development process for these windshields has exploited our experience across military and commercial, fixed and rotary wing transparencies and transparent armour. We are providing the windshield/canopy systems for the F-35 and the Eurofighter Typhoon, where the optical clarity of the canopy and effective protection from birdstrike are of paramount importance - and we supply both cockpit and cabin windows for many Boeing airplane programmes."

In addition to the cockpit windows, GKN Aerospace has designed, developed and qualified a large, heated observer window for the P-8A cabin.