The Pratt & Whitney/GE Engine Alliance has awarded a $180 million, multi-year contract to GKN Aerospace Services-owned Chem-tronics for the supply of turbine exhaust cases on the GP7000 engine. The powerplant is destined for the Airbus A380.
Jim Legler, president and chief executive of GKNAS North America West, says: "In winning this contract, we are moving further towards our goal of becoming a regular and trusted partner to the primes in developing complex aircraft systems.
Targets
"We are already closely involved with Airbus in the development of a number of vital assemblies for the A380 airframe and there too we are employing innovative manufacturing techniques and highly effective programme management to offer the most effective solutions to our customers."
Chem-tronics says the design of the turbine exhaust case for the GP7000 represents an advance in manufacturing processes. The company uses five-axis welding technology to design an assembly that meets the stringent weight, performance and cost targets for the engine. The turbine exhaust case must operate efficiently at extremely high temperatures, have great strength and be highly resistant to fatigue and corrosion. Critically, the case also serves as the rear structural mount for the engine to the airframe and as the support for the rear bearing housing.
Source: Flight Daily News
