Aerospace & Defence
Today’s market is highly competitive with aggressive competition from both traditional and emerging competitors, says Denzil Lawrence, Supplier Development Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
Customers want ‘more for less’ with products that are affordable and mission-capable, have low operating costs, are environmentally progressive and offer in-service reliability and standardization, with first-time quality.
Sourcing categories across Boeing cover:
Structures: Major assemblies, Body sections, movable wing sections, doors, flight control surfaces, fuselage.
Systems: Avionics, flight systems, hydraulics, wheels and brakes, landing gear, environmental control systems, electrical systems.
Interiors: Passenger seats, Cabin systems, galley inserts, interiors, cargo systems.
Common Commodities: Machined parts, sheet metal parts, assemblies, tubing, wiring, tooling, raw materials, and standards.
Propulsion: Engines, Struts, Nacelles
Aerospace & Defence News
Defence News – Late February 2025
British aerospace and defence giant, BAE Systems, has announced its full year financials for 2024, reporting a 14% increase in revenue and record profits for the period. For the first time, BAE Systems made an annual profit of more than £3bn (before tax and interest) in 2024, with strong performance reported across all of its…
Aerospace News – Late February 2025
Commercial aircraft orders grew 168% in January 2025 compared to January 2024, significantly exceeding the five-year average of 67, new figures from the industry trade body show. According to ADS, the latest commercial aircraft data further highlights a sustained growth in aircraft deliveries, with 71 delivered in January 2025 marking the highest January delivery rate…
Aerospace News – Early February 2025
The UK Civil Aviation Authority has chosen Exeter Airport to take part in the second round of its Hydrogen Challenge. The Hydrogen Challenge is designed to prepare the UK’s aerospace industry for the adoption of hydrogen as a zero-carbon aviation fuel, with some of the UK’s leading companies collaborating on critical advancements in technology and…
Defence News – Late January 2025
A Yorkshire-based defence company will begin the production of barrels for the first time in almost two decades, as the UK ramps up its military supplies to Ukraine in 2025. The UK placed a £61 million contract with defence giant BAE Systems to produce the barrel forgings, working with Sheffield Forgemasters. The barrels will be…
Aerospace News – Late January 2025
The troubled aerospace giant Boeing says it delivered just 348 aircraft to its customers last year, its lowest output since the pandemic. Boeing ended the year with a backlog of 5,595 unfilled orders. Stricter scrutiny of the planemaker’s practices as well as industrial action, have hampered production at what is one of America’s largest manufacturers. …
Aerospace News – Early January 2025
UK commercial aircraft orders fell 65% in November 2024 to just 79, representing the lowest demand for aircraft in the month since 2020, new figures show. According to the latest commercial aircraft data from ADS, the trade association for the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space sectors further highlights a 55% decline fall in year-to-date…
Defence News – December 2024
Defence giant, BAE Systems, is recruiting more than 1,500 apprentices and graduates across its North of England sites, including Barrow, Brough, Samlesbury, Washington and Warton. It says the region will benefit from record funding into education, training and skills as the company expects to eclipse £1bn in spending across the UK since the start of…
Aerospace News – December 2024
Icelandair, based in Keflavik, has taken delivery of its first Airbus aircraft. The A321LR marks the first step in the airline’s fleet renewal making it the newest Airbus operator. The aircraft is the first of four to be leased from SMBC Aviation Capital. The airline will also take delivery of 13 A321XLRs. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2143647-icelandair-joins-the-airbus-family-with-delivery-of-a321lr-aircraft Sustainable aircraft…
Defence News – Late November 2024
Defence and aerospace company BAE Systems is establishing a new artillery development and production facility in Sheffield that will create 50 skilled jobs. This facility is being funded with investments of more than £25m. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/yorkshire/news/2131785-bae-systems-rolls-out-the-big-guns-with-multi-million-factory-investment?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Yorkshire_18th_Nov_2024_Daily
Aerospace News – Late November 2024
BAE Systems will deliver and integrate next-generation active control sidesticks on the JetZero Blended Wing aircraft, which is set to accelerate the path to a sustainable future in aviation. Active control sidesticks give immediate and intuitive feedback directly into the pilot’s hands, which enables them to safely make use of the aircraft’s full flight envelope.…
Aerospace News – Early November 2024
Ethiopia’s national flag carrier and largest Airbus operator in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines, has taken delivery of its first of four A350-1000 from Airbus. The first of its kind to be operated by an African-based operator, the A350-1000 will enable Ethiopian Airlines to enhance its premium service on key destinations including Washington DC, London, Paris and…
Aerospace News – Late October 2024
Commercial aircraft deliveries are down 7.5% in the first nine months of 2024 compared with the same period in 2023, according to ADS, the trade association for the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space sectors. Year-to-date orders similarly reflect a slowed picture at 982, down 55% on the record aircraft orders placed in the first…
Aerospace News – Early October 2024
Aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, has won a firm order for 70 A321neo (new engine option) planes. The group, which employs around 4,500 staff at its wing-making plant at Broughton near Chester, and several thousand staff in Filton, near Bristol, confirmed the order which finalised a memorandum of understanding signed in July by Cebu Pacific, of the…
Defence News – September 2024
Coventry-based manufacturer NP Aerospace has secured a new contract to supply a military fleet to the Belgium MoD. The manufacturer is set to deliver the remaining MoD’s 87 Light Tactical Transport Vehicles (LTTV). It follows the original program to provide 199 Mercedes-Benz UNIMOG-based vehicles. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2090657-coventry-manufacturer-secures-contract-to-deliver-military-fleet NP Aerospace has secured a £71m wheeled vehicle support contract…
Aerospace News – September 2024
Airline Cathay Pacific has grounded its 24-strong fleet of A350 aeroplanes after finding a fault with a Rolls-Royce engine built in Derby. The airline said it had found a fault with a Trent XWB-97 engine on a flight from Hong Kong to Zurich on yesterday (Monday September 2). Cathay Pacific immediately grounded its entire fleet…
Rigid Borescopes for those difficult to see inspection tasks when the entry path is straight.
Rigid borescopes are used in industrial settings where access to confined or hard-to-reach areas is critical for visual inspection. They provide high-quality imaging and are highly robust and durable, making them ideal for industrial inspection tasks. Hawkeye rigid borescopes, available from Optimax are known for their high-quality imaging and exceptional durability. They are used in…
Defence News – Early August 2024
Defence giant BAE Systems has seen revenues for the first half of 2024 soar 13% to £13.4billion. In a half year trading update to the stock market this morning, Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive, said the “strong operational and financial performance” has led to the board lifting its year-end guidance across all key metrics. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2137384-city-round-up-bae-systems-lifts-profit-target-pets-at-home-steady-positive-volex-new-chair-at-ultimate-products?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NorthWest_1st_Aug_2024_Daily
Aerospace News – Early August 2024
Aerospace manufacturer AVPE Systems has increased shop floor uptime by 30% since implementing FourJaw manufacturing analytics. Part of the Broadway Group, AVPE supplies aerospace customers in the UK, Europe and Asia with complex machined components. It specialises in airframe and landing gear parts and machining castings, forgings and 3D printed parts. https://www.qimtek.co.uk/news/engineering-capacity/analytics-boosts-productivity Earnings at Airbus…
Aerospace News – Late July 2024
Berniq Airways, Libya’s airline, has placed a firm order with aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, for six A320neo Family aircraft. The deal was signed at the Farnborough Air Show, which is currently under way, where the company had already clinched orders for 43 new aircraft ahead of the Berniq Airways announcement. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2137030-air-show-offers-further-good-news-for-jet-manufacturer-airbus/ ____________________ Derby-based Rolls-Royce has signed…
Defence News – Early July 2024
Defence Secretary John Healey visited Sheffield Forgemasters to “reaffirm” the Government’s commitment to an international partnership which is expected to create 7,000 jobs in the UK. The trilateral AUKUS (Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States) partnership is seen by the Ministry of Defence as being critical for the UK’s national security and as…
Aerospace News – Early July 2024
79% fewer aircraft orders were placed in May 2024 than in May 2023, meaning year-to-date orders are now 14% behind the same point last year, the latest figures from ADS Group show. This contrasts with orders in the first four months of the year, which were tracking 16% above the same period in 2023. Figures…
Aerospace News – Late June 2024
Airbus has lowered its guidance forecast for 2024, (June 25), and revealed its commercial aircraft business is being impacted by “persistent specific supply chain issues”. The aircraft manufacturer has major plants in Broughton, near Chester, where it employs 5,000 staff making wings for its commercial aircraft, and Filton, in Bristol, where the workforce numbers 3,000…
Where would you use the Bruker Alicona Optical MicroCMM?
The Bruker Alicona MicroCMM is a state-of-the-art optical 3D coordinate measuring machine (CMM) designed for high-precision measurement and inspection of complex geometries and fine details. It combines advanced optical metrology with the robustness and accuracy of traditional CMMs, making it suitable for a wide range of applications where detailed and precise measurements are critical. Key…
AIM CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF SUCCESS WITH PSL DATATRACK
In 2024, Automatic Industrial Machines Ltd (AIM) celebrates a significant milestone – 25 years of partnership with PSL Datatrack, a UK-based provider of production control software for subcontract precision engineers. This enduring collaboration has transformed AIM’s operations, propelling the company towards excellence in the aerospace industry and beyond. Before embracing PSL Datatrack, AIM navigated its…
Aerospace News – Early June 2024
As part of its plan to stimulate Türkiye’s aeronautical industry and address global chain supply bottlenecks, Turkish Airlines (TK, Istanbul Airport) is looking to grow its aircraft component manufacturing business by sell parts it makes to other carriers, as well as partner with Boeing to domestically produce some seats and engine components, Bloomberg reported. Turkish…
Offering Intelligent Aqueous and Solvent (Modified Alcohols) Cleaning Solutions for Industry-Demanding Applications
Kemet International is a leading provider of cleaning solutions that cover a wide range of industrial applications. With a complete turnkey solution to your cleaning requirements, Kemet can help you find the optimal solutions to your cleaning needs, whether it’s a completely new cleaning project or a review of an existing one. Achieving effective and…
Defence News – Late May 2024
Babcock and Airbus Helicopters have been awarded a new contract to support the EC145 fleet of the Direction Générale de la Sécurité Civile and the French Gendarmerie Nationale. The 12-year contract, awarded by the French Ministry of Armed Forces Directorate of Aeronautical Maintenance (DMAé), covers the aircraft in service support of a fleet of 48…
Aerospace News – Late May 2024
IndiGo, India’s largest airline, has placed a firm order for 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The order will help expand IndiGo’s international network to long-haul destinations. India, the world’s fastest growing major aviation market, is on the verge of an international travel boom as the economy grows and household incomes rise. The A350 is perfectly positioned…
Defence News – Early May 2024
Babcock and Airbus Helicopters have been awarded a new contract to support the EC145 fleet of the Direction Générale de la Sécurité Civile and the French Gendarmerie Nationale. The 12-year contract, awarded by the French Ministry of Armed Forces Directorate of Aeronautical Maintenance (DMAé), covers the aircraft in service support of a fleet of 48…
Aerospace News – Early May 2024
IndiGo, India’s largest airline, has placed a firm order for 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The order will help expand IndiGo’s international network to long-haul destinations. India, the world’s fastest growing major aviation market, is on the verge of an international travel boom as the economy grows and household incomes rise. The A350 is perfectly positioned…
Defence News – Late April 2024
Babcock and Roshel, a leading manufacturer of armoured special purpose vehicles, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaboratively explore opportunities to support the Canadian Armed Forces. Click here to read the full article The UK Ministry of Defence has ordered a further six Airbus H145 helicopters as the next step in renewing its…
Aerospace News – Late April 2024
While aircraft orders continue to gain momentum, challenges and kinks with production capacity are causing a downward trend (year on year) in aircraft deliveries. Click here to read the full article Aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, has grown revenues but seen earnings shrink in the first quarter of its 2024 financial year. The group, which employs 5,000…
Aerospace News – Early April 2024
Aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, has added Korean Air to its A350 customer base. The group, which employs 5,000 staff at its wing making plant in Broughton, near Chester, and around 3,000 staff at its Filton plant in Bristol, has received an order for 33 new planes from the national carrier. The order covers 27 A350-1000s and…
Defence News – Late March 2024
Rolls-Royce is to create 1,000 jobs in Derby after the Australian Government would be investing in its ongoing AUKUS nuclear submarine preparations. The new commitment is in addition to the expansion funding already committed by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD). To meet the growth in demand from the Royal Navy, which includes AUKUS delivery…
Aerospace News – Late March 2024
Rolls-Royce is set to create around 200 jobs at its Derby plant in response to an increase in flying hours for the aircraft its engines power. The £55m investment will cover both Derby and its manufacturing facility in Dahlewitz, Germany and increase the manufacturing giant’s headcount by 300 people in total. Click here to read…
Defence News – Early March 2024
Rolls-Royce Submarines is creating more than 200 jobs to provide nuclear reactors for new attack submarines. The firm said it hoped to attract engineers and specialists from around the UK to new offices in Cardiff and Glasgow. More than 100 new jobs will be based in St Mellons, Cardiff, as well as over 100 at…
Aerospace News – Early March 2024
A Cambridge-based aerospace company will receive millions to work on a net zero aviation programme. Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt announced investments in the UK’s life sciences and manufacturing sectors. Funding aims to speed up the transition to net zero aviation and support sectors where the UK is, or could be, world leading. Click…
Defence News – Late February 2024
Defence group, BAE Systems, reported increased sales and profits for the year to December 31, 2023, as global security tensions remain high. The group operates factories in Warton and Salmesbury, near Preston, building military aircraft, as well as a submarine building facility in Barrow, and employs around 15,000 staff in the region. Turnover for the…
Aerospace News – Late February 2024
Aeroplane manufacturer, Airbus, has boosted its orders book with deals for two international carriers. North American airline, Breeze Airways, has added a further 10 A220-300 aircraft, bringing its total firm order for the aircraft type to 90, making it the third largest customer worldwide for the A220. Meanwhile, STARLUX Airlines of Taiwan has placed a…
Defence News – Early February 2024
500 support trucks will be delivered to the British Army in 2024 to support operational activity, following a rapid procurement process. Collaboration between Defence Equipment & Support, Army Headquarters and the Field Army has helped push the boundaries of Defence procurement, acquiring all the vehicles in just 7 months. Click here to read the full…
Aerospace News – Early February 2024
Airbus, the European aircraft manufacturer with key operations in the North West and South West, increased revenues and earnings in 2023 and is forecasting bigger earnings for the current financial year. The group, which employs 5,000 staff at its wing making plant in Broughton, near Chester, and around 3,000 staff at its Filton plant in…
Aerospace News – Late January 2024
Boeing faces a “serious challenge” and uncertain outlook as it seeks to restore confidence, its boss Dave Calhoun admitted, announcing the firm’s latest financial results on Wednesday. Trust in the firm has been shaken since a panel of one of its 737 Max 9 jets broke off in mid-air. Mr Calhoun said the company’s “full…
Aerospace News – Late January 2024
Boeing faces a “serious challenge” and uncertain outlook as it seeks to restore confidence, its boss Dave Calhoun admitted, announcing the firm’s latest financial results on Wednesday. Trust in the firm has been shaken since a panel of one of its 737 Max 9 jets broke off in mid-air. Mr Calhoun said the company’s “full…
Defence News – Early January 2024
The Ajax Programme has turned a corner and is progressing towards the delivery of a new generation of armoured fighting vehicles that meets the Army’s needs, against a revised delivery schedule that sets realistic and achievable milestones. The MOD continues to work closely with General Dynamics to deliver the 589 vehicles, of which there are…
Aerospace News – Early January 2024
Aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, has won a multibillion-pound order with Türkiye’s national carrier, Turkish Airlines. The carrier has confirmed it will expand its fleet with an order for 220 Airbus aircraft, made up of 150 best selling A321s and 70 of the world’s most modern and efficient A350 widebody aircraft, comprising 50 A350-900s, 15 A350-1000s and…
Mazak records successful 2023 including largest ever UK order
Yamazaki Mazak UK has recorded a successful year for machine sales in 2023 including its largest ever machine order. The success was driven by a strong pipeline of high-value large project wins, based around the company’s experience and competence in project management, engineering support and turnkey solutions. In addition, a particularly strong December Open House…
Aerospace News – December 2023
Aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, which employs 5,000 staff at its wing-making plant in Broughton, near Chester, is benefiting from more orders. Hong Kong’s Cathay has become the latest carrier to order the all-new A350F, following the signature of a purchase agreement for six aircraft. The A350F will join the airline’s cargo division, Cathay Cargo, and will…
Aerospace News – Late November 2023
Ethiopian flagship carrier, Ethiopian Airlines Group, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for 11 additional Airbus A350-900s to be added to its existing fleet. The deal was announced at the Dubai Air Show and the latest agreement takes Ethiopian Airlines’ total order book and commitment for the A350 to 33, including four A350-1000s. Click…
Defence News – Early November 2023
With global tensions rising, defence giant, BAE Systems, has reported a £10bn uplift in orders booked since it announced its half year results in August. In a trading update today, the group, which operates factories in Warton and Salmesbury, near Preston, building military aircraft, and a submarine building facility in Barrow, said group guidance has…
Aerospace News – Early November 2023
Rolls-Royce has made a significant breakthrough in the drive towards sustainable air travel after successfully running its UltraFan® technology demonstrator to maximum power at its facility in Derby. The initial stage of the test was conducted using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Click here to read the full article GKN Aerospace and GE have deepened…
Space- Comm Expo, 6 -7th March
Where Space Does Business Space- Comm Expo gathers space, aerospace, defence, downstream and upstream industries for two days of high-level networking, discussions, education and business, focussed on the commercial future of space. Supported by key industry associations and influential bodies, Space-Comm Expo showcases the end-to-end supply chain for products, services and applications supplying and informing…
Defence News – Late October 2023
Construction has begun on a huge “frigate factory” in Glasgow which will be able to build two Royal Navy warships simultaneously under cover. The new build hall at the Govan shipyard on the river Clyde is being constructed by BAE Systems as part of a £300m investment to its facilities. Once complete it will improve…
Aerospace News – Late October 2023
A Northern Ireland aerospace firm is opening a new £7.5m testing facility in Banbridge. Thompson Aero Seating makes business class seats for airlines like Delta and Singapore Airlines. Aerospace is a highly regulated industry and parts can only be certified for airworthiness after approved testing. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-67132461
Moving manufacturing from 3D printing to injection moulding
3D printing has revolutionised small-scale manufacturing. Production of everything from phone holders to furniture can be made at the touch of a button and printed in anything from minutes to hours. Whilst well suited to small-scale, low-cost manufacturing, 3D printing can become time consuming and less cost effective as production volumes increase. Plastic injection moulding…
Aerospace News – Late July 2023
US carrier, Delta Air Lines, has lodged an order for 12 extra A220-300 Airbus aircraft, bringing its total firm order for A220s to 131, comprising 45 A220-100s and 86 A220-300. Throughout the years, Delta has reordered the A220 five times and is today the largest A220 customer and operator in the world. Kristen Bojko, Delta’s…
Aerospace News – Early July 2023
Icelandair, the main Icelandic airline based in Keflavik, has placed a firm order for 13 Airbus A321XLR aircraft. The order makes Icelandair a new Airbus customer. The airline is also planning to lease four A321LRs. With its extra-long range, the A321XLR will allow Icelandair to seize new market opportunities. The aircraft will also enable the…
Aerospace News – Late June 2023
Airbus, the aircraft manufacturer which employs around 4,500 staff at its wing-making factory in Broughton, near Chester, has registered record-breaking new orders at the Paris Air Show. IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, has placed a firm order for 500 A320 family aircraft, setting the record for the biggest single purchase agreement in the…
Aerospace News – Early May 2023
Aircraft manufacturer Airbus first quarter results showed strong demand for its products but falls in both revenues and EBIT levels. The group employs around 4,000 staff at its plant in Filton, near Bristol, where they work wings and landing gear. Consolidated revenues in the quarter fell slightly to £10.3bn, compared with £10.5bn in the same…
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