GKN Aerospace has announced a collaborative program with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to develop and demonstrate the capabilities of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) within 18 months under an £18m contract.
The program aims to explore new potential cost-effective capabilities for the Swedish Armed Forces and Air Force. It is designed to promote innovation, not only in technology, but also in working methods, emphasizing agile decision-making, customer inclusion, and continuous learning.
The drone will be developed as a flexible platform, adaptable to a wide range of mission profiles. The final capability priorities will be defined by the end customer, ensuring that the system meets changing operational needs. The program includes on-the-ground demonstrations of the turbojet engine, fuselage, and onboard systems tailored to specific missions, culminating in flight demonstrations to validate overall system performance.
This strategic initiative draws on GKN Aerospace’s long-standing partnership with FMV and the Swedish Air Force, reinforcing its role as an authorized Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the RM12 engine powering the Saab Gripen fighter. The program leadership and engine development will occur in Sweden, while airframe development will transpire in the Netherlands.
FMV aims to strengthen long-term supply security in an increasingly important sector at both the national and NATO level. The demonstrator program will explore, among other things, the possibilities of using additive manufacturing in different materials for various system parts.
Source and Image Credits @GKN Aerospace
