-Supernal and GKN Aerospace Announce Agreement for eVTOL Vehicle Aerostructures, Electrical Wiring Systems and Manufacturing Innovation
The leading aerospace supplier and Hyundai Motor Group’s Advanced Air Mobility company will collaborate on lightweight aerostructures and electrical wiring interconnection systems, laying the foundation for manufacturing at scale.
PARIS, June 19, 2023/PRNewswire/ — Supernal LLC (the Company) and GKN Aerospace today announced a partnership in the design and construction of major aerostructures and the Electrical Wiring Interconnection System (EWIS) for the electric vehicle of vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) of Supernal. The companies will also develop high-speed manufacturing technologies to produce these parts and assembly methods. This is the second agreement established with an aerospace manufacturer that Supernal has announced at the Paris Air Show, as the Company works to develop a novel, high-speed manufacturing process that will enable the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry to meet expected demand in the coming decades.
GKN will work with Supernal to apply its broad portfolio of design capabilities and manufacturing technologies to the development of the company’s eVTOL vehicle. GKN will supply lightweight aerostructures and high-voltage, high-power electrical wiring systems for Supernal’s large-scale technology demonstrator, which the company will start flying in 2024. The partnership aims to improve the business case and process for introducing materials advanced technologies and assembly processes that enable speed for the AAM industry. By working with GKN to mature these innovative processes from the ground up, Supernal will develop ramp-up capabilities that will enable the Company to rapidly scale production as demand for aircraft orders grows.
“Manufacturing is crucial to the success of Advanced Air Mobility and Supernal is pleased to partner with leading suppliers such as GKN Aerospace to industrialize existing processes,” said Jaiwon Shin, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group and CEO of Supernal. “Instead of focusing on ‘time to market’, Supernal prioritizes ‘time to scale’. Our work with GKN Aerospace will lay the foundation for producing eVTOL vehicles at scale and will be bolstered by Hyundai’s high-tech manufacturing processes. Engine Group”.
As part of Hyundai Motor Group (HMG), Supernal is working to integrate the automotive leader’s expertise, including supply chain management, logistics and distribution, and manufacturing, throughout the AAM ecosystem. On the manufacturing side, HMG is helping Supernal develop a scalable digital factory model that will industrialize aerospace material and assembly advances. Supernal’s work with major aerospace manufacturers, such as GKN Aerospace, is an important first step toward the company’s ability to reduce the cost and time of aircraft production.
GKN Aerospace is a world leader in the design and manufacture of lightweight aerostructures and EWIS, among global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and the growing AAM market. Design and manufacturing activities for Supernal and GKN Aerospace have started at GKN Aerospace’s Global Technology Center in Bristol and at other sites in Europe.
“We are excited to collaborate with Supernal and support the development of this all-new eVTOL,” said John Pritchard, president of civil airframes at GKN Aerospace. “Supernal’s eVTOL can play a key role in the transition to emission-free flight and we are delighted to collaborate on the platform, in line with our mission to be the most reliable and sustainable partner in the sky. GKN Aerospace is proud to contribute their wealth of high-end design and manufacturing expertise, along with key technological innovations and expertise, have contributed to this project.”
Supernal’s partnership with GKN Aerospace is part of the company’s “open ecosystem” approach to address AAM’s niche technology needs. The company plans to increase its portfolio of manufacturing partners in other vehicle components and assemblies, in addition to the airframe.
Supernal and GKN Aerospace today held a partnership signing ceremony at the Paris Air Show.
About Supernal Supernal (Su per nal) is a US-based mobility services provider whose mission is to redefine the way people move, connect and live. We are developing an advanced air mobility eVTOL vehicle and working to responsibly co-create the supporting ecosystem and integrate it into existing transit options. As part of the Hyundai Motor Group, we are both a new business and an established company, with plans to build on our automotive manufacturing heritage to make Advanced Air Mobility accessible to the masses. Visit www.supernal.aero for more information and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
About GKN Aerospace GKN Aerospace is the world’s leading multi-technology Tier 1 aerospace provider with a mission to be the most reliable and sustainable partner in the sky. As a global company serving the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers, GKN Aerospace designs, manufactures and offers a broad range of advanced aerospace systems, components and technologies for use in commercial and defense aircraft ranging from helicopters, business jets, passenger planes and advanced air mobility vehicles to the most advanced combat aircraft. In keeping with its mission, GKN Aerospace is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Lightweight composites, additive manufacturing, electrical wiring interconnect systems, and innovative engine systems help reduce emissions and weight on aircraft while collaborating with global partners to accelerate the development of zero-emission aircraft technologies, including hydrogen-powered propulsion and all-electric flight. GKN Aerospace is a market leader in aerostructures and engine systems, with 15,000 employees at its 38 manufacturing sites in 12 countries.
Contacts: Jennifer Darland Supernal jennifer.darland@supernal.aero
Marianne MulderGKN Aerospacemarianne.mulder@fokker.com
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