GKN Aerospace has been awarded a multi-year contract to make lightweight titanium thrust links for the Boeing 747-8 and for both engine variants of the Boeing 787.
Welding techniques GKN has developed for these structures will be employed at a dedicated production cell at its El Cajon, California facility, which features electron beam welding and precision machining capabilities. Thrust-link end fittings are being machined at GKN's Mexicali site, which the company describes as "a low-cost, highly skilled facility".
Sources suggest the Boeing contract is valued in the $45-50 million range.
Source: Flight International
