GKN Aerospace has expanded its Newington, Connecticut facility with a new production line dedicated to additive fabrication of the Fan Case Mount Ring (FCMR). The component is used in Pratt & Whitney GTF engines that power Airbus A220 and Embraer E195-E2 aircraft.

The FCMR is the largest flight-critical additive component to achieve FAA certification and is expected to reach full serial production by the end of 2025. Its core structure, the additively fabricated ‘hot size ring’, is produced in Trollhättan, Sweden, with final machining completed in Newington.

GKN Aerospace says its additive fabrication process reduces material use, shortens lead times and is projected to save more than 70% of material. The expansion is also intended to support supply chain resilience.

“This expansion in Connecticut marks a major milestone for GKN Aerospace and our Fan Case Mount Ring programme,” says Joakim Andersson, president engines, GKN Aerospace. “The combination of strong local support, the highly skilled workforce and the availability of an aerospace network and infrastructure here allows us to bring our latest additive fabrication technology into industrial-scale production, creating jobs and supporting our long-term relationship with Pratt & Whitney.”

Sébastien Aknouche, SVP material solutions, GKN Aerospace, adds: “Today we already produce around 30 FCMR units per month at our Trollhättan facility. Expanding our cutting-edge technology, developed in Sweden, to the US will support the full volume of FCMR production in one place. As well as ramping up our production for the FCMR, it will also enable us to expand our additive fabrication offering to other customers in the USA.”

GKN Aerospace employs more than 450 people across its Newington and Cromwell facilities in Connecticut.