LEADING THE INDUSTRY IN HIGH VALUE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE

Giants of the aerospace industry have chosen to locate in the South West and the size and scale of their operations is proof of the innovative capacity of the region. There are significant concentrations of aerospace activity around world-class R&D assets, airports and Enterprise Zones with supply chain companies spread right across the region.

ELECTRONICS AND CONTROL SYSTEMS

The South West also has significant expertise in electronics, electrical systems and motion control technologies, with a wide range of companies operating in this field.

Aero Stanrew, owned by TT Electronics, designs and manufactures ruggedised electro-mechanical components and electronic safety-critical systems in aerospace and defence from its North Devon site. The company supplies to UTC Aerospace Systems, Rolls-Royce, Leonardo, Thales, Eaton Aerospace and GE Aviation.

Curtiss-Wright Avionics and Electronics in Dorset is part of the Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions division and provides system solutions that acquire, consolidate, analyse and record all sensor and avionics data on aircraft.

The Eaton Aerospace Fuel and Motion Control Systems division, in North Devon, is a world leader in the design, manufacture and integration of advanced products and technologies for flight deck interfaces, electrical power management, fuel and inerting systems and motion control. It produces fuel systems – valves, pumps and sensors – fluid power, electrics, sensor components and systems for B787, A380, EH101 and Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.

Honeywell Aerospace is a leading provider of integrated avionics, engines, systems and service solutions for aerospace, aviation and defence. Its Somerset-Yeovil site focuses on environmental control, life support, hydraulic control and data systems, while its Bournemouth facility undertakes repair and overhaul of a wide range of systems including air conditioning, ice protection and heat transfer.

Moog supplies and services servo-valves, primary and secondary flight control and actuation systems, as well as designing aerospace test systems. It also provides ground-based air navigation systems for military and civil aviation and has a Space & Defence office in Cheltenham.

For any South West Aerospace enquiries please contact us at:www.southwestaerospace.co.ukinvest@bristolandbath.co.uk+44 117 943 4858

GROWTH POWERED BY INNOVATION

METALLICS AND MEASUREMENT

Advanced materials, including metallics, are critical to the success of aerospace in the South West. High value manufacturing and precision engineering requires extremely accurate measurement due to the very fine tolerances involved.

range of applications, including hydraulic tubes for aircraft engines, airframes, landing gear and brakes. Fine Tubes is one of the few suppliers qualified to produce the high-pressure titanium tubes used in the hydraulic systems of the A380.

Renishaw is a world-leading metrology company, with several sites and its headquarters located in Gloucestershire. Investment in new product development and skilled and motivated staff are vital to the company’s long-term strategic prospects, keeping Renishaw at the leading edge of technological innovation. It specialises in precision measurement, motion control and manufacturing, particularly rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing. The company now also serves a range of markets including medical and healthcare, automotive and electronics.

Arconic, with a site in Exeter, produces and manufactures aluminium plate and products including aerospace and industrial gas turbine components, aerospace components, castings and forgings.

Fine Tubes, part of Ametek and based in Plymouth, is a manufacturer of precision metal tubes using the best raw materials, including the latest alloys and high-strength grades of titanium. Its products have a wide

Parker Hannifin is a global leader in motion and control technology. It provides quality precision engineering solutions to UK manufacturers, including those in aerospace and defence.

TE Connectivity is a world leader in connectors and sensors for use in harsh environments. Its Swindon facility undertakes extensive research activities in laboratories and supplies wire and cable harnesses to Airbus. From its facility in Bath, it supplies backshells and connectors to a wide range of aerospace customers.

Ultra Electronics is a world leader in safety-critical electronic control systems for aircraft applications. Its Precision Control Systems facility in Cheltenham produces high-integrity control products for aerospace, military and soldier applications, including position sensing and control, ice protection and detection, vibration control and situational awareness. The company also has its contract electronics manufacturing business in Weymouth and a site in Gloucestershire.

UTC Aerospace Systems facility in Plymouth is part of the company’s Sensors and Integrated Systems division. It designs and manufactures products for control, navigation and guidance for air and surface applications in aerospace and defence.

The South West Aerospace Cluster is at the forefront of global aerospace technology, from advanced metallic and composite aero-structures to aero-engines, from landing gear to electronic systems and the latest developments in unmanned air systems, robotics and automated manufacture.

©Rolls Royce

©Honeywell

©Arconic

AIRBUSThe UK is at the forefront of Airbus’ global strategy, which is driven by innovation. Employing over 4,000 people, the Airbus facility in Filton, Bristol, is the company’s centre of excellence for wing design and engineering for all Airbus aircraft families. Core activities at this site include fuel and landing gear system integration for the Airbus fleet, as well as wing assembly and equipping for the A400M aircraft. The site is home to the landing gear systems test facility for the A350XWB and world-leading research is conducted in systems, structures and aerodynamics. A £70 million Aerospace Park Advanced Engineering Hub specialises in wing design and systems integration and accommodates 2,000 engineers. Airbus, in partnership with the UK government has invested a further £37 million in a Wing Integration Centre.

BAE SYSTEMSBAE Systems provides some of the world’s most advanced technology-led solutions for aerospace, defence and security. It is a key prime contractor in the South West, with eight facilities throughout the region and is heavily focused on technological innovation. Its Advanced Technology Centre in Filton, Bristol, specialises in micro-electronic mechanical systems, which enable new methods of manufacture for sensors, actuators and displays. In Somerset, its Military Air and Information business focuses on mission planning software for the UK Armed Forces complemented by its Defence Information business in Christchurch, Dorset. In Gloucestershire, the company focuses on cyber security for both government and commercial customers.

BOEINGBoeing is growing its presence in the UK, in particular through the expansion and consolidation of Boeing Defence UK which provides service and support for Boeing platforms used by the UK Armed Forces, including the Chinook helicopter, C-17 transport aircraft and the British Army’s Apache helicopters. In the South West, Boeing Defence UK has an established presence in Bristol, working in close partnership with the UK MOD’s Defence Equipment & Support organisation. Recently, the company announced intentions to create a centre of excellence at Boscombe Down, Wiltshire, focused on fixed wing aircraft support and is expected to create over 1,500 new jobs.

LEONARDO HELICOPTERSLeonardo Helicopters provides a unique, total rotorcraft capability in the UK, including design, development, manufacturing and through-life support. From its substantial base in Yeovil Somerset, the company designs and assembles a range of rotorcraft, including the AW101 Merlin, the AW159 Lynx Wildcat, the SL300 Super Lynx and the AW189, which is used for search and rescue purposes. This site is a world leader in advanced rotor systems, in particular rotor blades, as well as vibration reduction technologies and gearboxes. Integrated support contracts are being delivered for Lynx and Apache helicopters and the company also undertakes civil maintenance on AW109 and AW139 helicopters.

ROLLS-ROYCEThe headquarters of Rolls-Royce’s defence aerospace business is in Bristol where it designs, develops, manufactures and supports some of the most sophisticated military engine products in the world. It powers a wide range of combat, transporter and trainer aircraft as well as helicopters and unmanned air vehicles. The company has over 3,000 employees in Bristol. The potential for civil aero-engine design has been significantly enhanced through investment in a state-of-the-art engine test facility for the next generation of environmentally-friendly engines. Recently, a new advanced manufacturing facility was opened at the site. This will develop the capability to use composite materials to embed electrical harnesses. Engineers at this site have also been involved in research programmes exploring the propulsion requirements for future civil unmanned aircraft.

SAFRANSAFRAN Landing Gear Systems located in Gloucester, is the world leader in the design, development, manufacture and support of landing gear and braking systems, with aircraft equipped landing gear landing every 2.1 seconds. The company employs 1,200 people at this site, working on key programmes including Airbus A320, A330, A340, A350XWB, A380, and Boeing B787. The final assembly of the main gear for the A350XWB is assembled on a new twin aisle flow line at the Gloucester site. The company also undertakes landing gear maintenance, repair and overhaul.

THALESThe Thales Group is a global technology leader for the aerospace, defence and security markets. Its main facility in the South West is at Templecombe, Somerset, which is home to its Air Operations and Underwater Systems business units. The company is a leader in the fast-growing market of unmanned air systems (UAS), building on 40 years of experience in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. It has delivered Europe’s largest UAS programme, Watchkeeper, and is leading the development of future UAS capabilities.

AIM Altitude based at Bournemouth Airport, provides leading-edge solutions for aircraft interiors, including cabins, galleys and stowages. The company uses the most advanced materials, complex mouldings and decorative finishes, supported by unique test capabilities. It also has design and manufacturing capability for military aircraft interiors.

Precision machining companies, such as AVPE in Bristol, provide CNC milled and turned components to the major manufacturers in the region. AVPE’s services range from sourcing raw materials to finished sub-assembly working to specific customer specifications. The company has a dedicated quality control/inspection capability which features CMM equipment with full CNC capability, which enables reverse engineering when required.

Beagle Technology Group, designs and manufactures metallic and composite parts, structures and highly finished components for aerospace, defence and marine markets. Founded in Dorset in 1955, the company has built a solid base of specialist expertise in niche turnkey engineering from concept to supply. Customers include Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Bombardier.

Magellan Aerospace is a Canadian manufacturer of aero-structure, aero-engine assemblies and components for aerospace markets, including components for A380, B787, F-35 and Bombardier aircraft. In the UK, Magellan primarily supplies Airbus and GKN Aerospace. The company’s main manufacturing base is in Bournemouth.

Located in Newton Abbot, Devon, MB Aerospace manufactures compressor and turbine aerofoils, discs, shafts and casings for civil and military aerospace. During a long history, it has developed expertise in automated machining, grinding and robotic polishing of critical highly-engineered gas-path components and is a supplier to Rolls-Royce and SMECMA.

Meggitt plc, with its headquarters in Bournemouth, is a global engineering group specialising in extreme

environment components and smart sub-systems for aerospace, defence and energy markets. 11,000 people are employed across manufacturing facilities in Asia, Europe, North and South America, India and the Middle East.

SKF Aerospace, based near Bristol, designs and manufactures high-tech self-lubricating bearings for aerospace and industrial applications. Its products are used in fixed wing and helicopter applications, primarily related to the movement of flight control surfaces.

Tods Aerospace in Somerset, part of the Unitech Aerospace Group, designs and manufactures high-quality structural composite components and assemblies for aerospace. Its sister company, Tods Defence in Dorset, produces radar and acoustic stealth solutions and radomes.

Triumph Actuation Systems, at its site in Gloucestershire, designs, qualifies and manufactures electro-mechanical and hydraulic actuation systems with associated control systems for the aerospace and defence industries, including UAVs.

A VIBRANT, DYNAMIC AND HIGHLY CAPABLE SUPPLY CHAIN

10 AEROSPACE GIANTS

COBHAMCobham is a global partner for prime contractors, manufacturers and governments, providing technologies to many of the world’s best known aircraft, including the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and all Airbus platforms. Based in Wimborne Dorset, its Mission Systems Division is a world leading supplier of critical control solutions for air-to-air refuelling and unmanned systems. Its Aviation Services business, near Bournemouth Airport, specialises in military modification, maintenance and support activities.

GE AVIATION SYSTEMSGE Aviation Systems is a leading global provider of integrated mechanical power and avionics systems for both civil and military markets. The company’s main site in Cheltenham employs approx 1,000 people and specialises in the design, manufacture and support of display systems, flight management systems, energy management systems and fuel gauging products. This site is also home to the Electric Power Integration Centre, a unique facility to support the development of the latest power generation, distribution, load and avionic control technologies. GE Aviation Systems also includes the well-recognised brand, Dowty Propellers, a leader in the design, development, manufacture and support of electronically controlled all-composite propeller systems.

GKN AEROSPACEGKN is one of the longest established engineering businesses in the UK, serving both the global aerospace and automotive markets. GKN Aerospace is a first tier supplier and manufacturer of highly complex composite and metallic aero-structures and engine components for both military and civil customers. The company has a significant presence in the Bristol area, employing almost 2,000 people at its facilities in Filton and Western Approach. It is at the leading edge of developments in the automated rapid manufacture of composites, having invested £170 million in the assembly of A350XWB composite wing structures and components. It is also at the forefront of additive manufacturing developments.

GROWTH POWERED BY INNOVATION

©Cobham

©2016 Leonardo ©Fine Tubes

The major aerospace companies are supported by a wealth of expertise in the supply chain with significant capabilities in aero-structural and aero-engine components, aircraft interiors, composite manufacturing and precision engineering. Some examples include: