GKN Aerospace delivers thermoplastic composite components for Bell V-280 Valor

GKN Aerospace has delivered a pair of thermoplastic composite, induction welded Ruddervators, and two compression-moulded access panels manufactured from re-used thermoplastic waste material, to Bell Helicopter, a Textron company. Ruddervators are the control surfaces for an aircraft with a V-tail configuration. As partner on Bell’s Team Valor, GKN Aerospace has designed and manufactured the complete thermoset composite V-Tail for the Bell V-280 Valor. The Ruddervators and Access Panels are technology demonstrators and are planned for flight testing on the aircraft in 2019. This will make the V-280 one of the first military aircraft flying with thermoplastic components. Injection of this