Public Funding for Hexcel Composites Limited

ASCEND is an industry led, cross-sector consortium brought together by GKN Aerospace, focussed on developing & accelerating UK composites capability to meet the requirement of single aisle, business jets & future mobility markets. ASCEND will develop the UK value chain in readiness for a step-change in use of lightweight structures, at high-rates. ASCEND brings new entrants, established small, high-growth & Tier-1 partners together to collaborate on delivering flexible automated capability. Connecting best in-class of talent, experience, & market access in one programme. ASCEND delivers UK capability for advanced, lightweight structures to meet demand in electric & hybrid propulsion aerospace structures.

The development of a robust, highly-loaded composite-metallic joint for Aerospace Engines. Utilising new, high-temperature composite material developments and underpinned by cure modelling, the technology delivers optimised components.

Development of CFRP materials using a resin infusion approach, aimed at large scale composite primary structures such as wing covers, spars and stringers ultimately for the production of a full composite wing. Optimisation of materials and processes to deliver a cost competitive composite solution for such structures

To audit and map existing supply chain processes. To develop an integration plan and implement/champion the process changes (embed into the buisness process). To roll out a 'Best practise Dashboard' and establish a Collaborative Centre of Excellence.

The PROTEST project is a collaboration between EADS Innovation Works, Airbus, Hexcel, Cardiff University and the National Composites Centre. The increase in the use of composite materials within the aerospace industry has raised concerns over the impact of lightning strikes on these structures. The aerospace industry has been developing its understanding of damage mechanisms to composite structures from lightning strike tests over recent years that has led to a number of isolated computational models. Despite these developments, the most recent aircraft programmes have suffered from non-compliance to safety requirements and late modifications to design have been needed to ensure certification. This project will address two key aspects; the derivation and collation of specific data on the impact of lightning strike on key elements of the structure of an aircraft, and the integration of this information and existing models into predictive tools available for the design process. The project will form a core component of the research within the Aerospace Technology Institute in the development of the next generation of aerostructures.

No abstract available.