GKN Aerospace wins US$ multi-million contract for F-100 engine structure

GKN Aerospace Chem-tronics Inc. has been selected by the United States Tinker Air Force Base to supply 147 turbine nozzle support structures for the Pratt & Whitney F-100 series engines which power USAF F-15 and F-16 aircraft. This contract is valued at approaching USD10M. These are critical spares items for the United States Air Force, as well as other allied nations’ operational fleets of F16 and F15 aircraft. They support the aft nozzle exit section in the rear of the engine on all Pratt & Whitney F-100 series engines. Manufacture of these complex titanium alloy structures will be undertaken by the company’s highly skilled team at its GKN Aerospace Chem-tronics Inc operation in El Cajon, California, with deliveries commencing in 2015 and completed by December 2017. This facility has manufactured this item previously for Tinker Air Force Base. Production of each support structure requires extensive expertise in a variety of skilled processes. Hot-forming is used to create the shell body skins for each structure. Flanges are welded on with stiffeners attached using spot welding and numerous additional items attached with fasteners.