ASCEND programme wins ATI Award

The GKN Aerospace led ASCEND programme has been recognised by the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) with the Team Award for Successful Collaboration and Partnership, honouring its groundbreaking progress in composite technology and supply chain development.
Image courtesy GKN Aerospace

The programme has driven innovations that will shape the future of high-rate production for civil aircraft, the automotive industry and future mobility markets.

GKN Aerospace collected the industry award on behalf of the ASCEND consortium at the ATI Conference yesterday. The award reflected the programme's excellence in teamwork and partnership across multiple sectors.

ASCEND is led by GKN Aerospace and includes 15 project partners: Airborne, Assyst Bulmer, Cygnet Texkimp, Cytec Syensqo, DES Composites, FAR-UK, Hexcel, Hive Composites, LMAT, Loop Technology, McLaren Automotive, NCC, Rafinex & Sigmatex, with collaboration managed by Axillium Research

ASCEND is a cross-sector programme designed to enable the UK aerospace and automotive industries to meet future high-rate production demands. Focused on automation, design for manufacture and skills development, the programme is committed to delivering sustainable technologies that reduce manufacturing costs and carbon footprints while enhancing production capabilities.

The project aims to bridge the aerospace and automotive supply chains by advancing innovative technologies and sustainable manufacturing solutions. This includes automating dry fibre deposition for broad goods materials, reducing manual intervention in forming complex internal spars, developing a smart RTM cell with closed-loop feedback and intelligent tooling for aerospace wingtip production, and establishing a scalable manufacturing process for Type V composite hydrogen fuel tanks.

Russ Dunn, CTO GKN Aerospace said: "The ASCEND Programme's success is a testament to the power of cross-sector collaboration. Our team has not only tackled complex technology challenges to meet future rate requirements but has also inspired new innovations around dry fibre preforming, RTM and rapid cure materials and created numerous partner spin-offs that will benefit both aerospace and automotive industries. The spillover effect of this work is already shaping the future of high-rate, sustainable manufacturing processes across sectors."

The ATI Team Award highlights the collaborative efforts and partnerships that have been central to ASCEND's success. This recognition underscores the innovation and teamwork led by GKN Aerospace and its partners, who are together pioneering the future of sustainable, high-rate composite manufacturing, ensuring the UK's leadership in aerospace and automotive advancements.