GKN Aerospace and Safran ink LEAP engine support agreement

GKN Aerospace has signed a decade-long agreement to expand its support for Safran Aircraft Engines' LEAP engines. The contract covers new shafts and spare part production for the LEAP 1A variant for A320neo aircraft. GKN Aerospace also expects to later produce similar components for the LEAP 1B engine for the 737 MAX aircraft. GKN Aerospace will begin production in Kongsberg, Norway, and expects the first shafts to be delivered to Safran in the second half of 2024. ""The LEAP is at the forefront of the industry and we are proud to increase our presence on the engine today, while continuing to explore new technology development for the next-generation RISE engine,"" said GKN Aerospace's engine business senior vice president Alexander Andersson. Safran Aircraft Engines purchasing senior vice president Dominique Dupuy added: ""We are satisfied with our partnership with GKN, which began several decades ago and continues with the manufacture of rotating parts for the LEAP programs."" The two companies have partnered for over 35 years with established long-term agreements for the CFM56 and GE90 engines, as well as collaborating on the development of the RISE program, which aims to reduce engine CO2 emissions by 20%.