At the 2025 SAMPE Europe annual event, Gijs J. Brouwer, thermoplastic composites engineer at GKN Fokker Aerospace, presented the latest advancements achieved within the HERWINGT Outboard Wingbox demonstrator. His talk emphasized two key technological breakthroughs: the development of thermoplastic in-situ manufacturing for the lower wing skin, and the application of thermoset rapid press forming techniques for spar components. These innovations underscore GKN’s pivotal role in shaping the next-generation aircraft structures through the use of advanced materials and manufacturing processes.
To explore this work further, watch the first episode of the HERWINGT video series featuring Joost Koopman, leader of the “Technology Enablers” work package, and Gijs Brouwer, Associate Research Engineer at GKN Aerospace: Watch the video.
