GKN Aerospace Named Supplier of all New Gulfstream G800 and G400 Business Jets

GKN Aerospace has again been selected as a supplier of Gulfstream’s new G800 and G400 business jets. Using its world-leading capability in designing and manufacturing business jet empennages and aero structures on advanced aircraft, the rudder and elevators from the empennage, in addition to the floorboards, will all feature the latest thermoplastic technology. GKN Aerospace also produces the metal bonded fuselage panels for the body of the new G800 aircraft, as well as the aluminum machined wing skins for the G400.

A team of experts from GKN Aerospace has joined the Gulfstream engineering team in the design process. Production will ultimately take place in facilities in Papendrecht and Hoogeveen in the Netherlands, Chihuahua in Mexico, and Wellington in the US.

This agreement is a continuation of the long-term business relationship between Gulfstream and GKN Aerospace. GKN Aerospace’s subsidiary Fokker began participating in Gulfstream’s successful business jet programs in 1993. Since then, GKN Aerospace has built a market-leading position in business jet empennages with its design and manufacturing of empennages for many of Gulfstream’s large and ultra-large cabin aircraft, as well as for other business jets customers. GKN Aerospace’s current involvement in Gulfstream business jets includes the empennage on the G650 and G700, fuselage panels on G650 and G700, floorboards on G650 and G700, rudder on G500 and G600, and wing skins on G500 and G600.

John Pritchard, President of Civil Airframe of GKN Aerospace expressed his excitement to be selected again as a key supplier of Gulfstream’s next generation of business jets. He and his team truly value this almost 30-year-old partnership. Pritchard believes GKN’s advanced lightweight thermoplastic technology offers a sustainable solution for aircraft structural components. He further stated GKN is looking forward to continuing to shape the future of flight together with Gulfstream.

According to Asian Sky Media’s Fleet Report in 2020, there are 923 Gulfstream aircraft purchased in the APAC region.