GKN Aerospace Norway, the Norwegian division of engineering and manufacturing company GKN Aerospace, has entered into a strategic collaboration with Norwegian Catapult Manufacturing Technology, part of the Kongsberg Technology Cluster, to expand advanced AM capabilities at its engines centre of excellence in Kongsberg.
Under the initiative, Norwegian Catapult and the Industrial Growth Company (SIVA) will co-invest NOK 12 million (nearly £1 million) to strengthen Norway’s position in sustainable industrial innovation. The partnership aims to speed up national adoption of AM and establish a platform for advanced, environmentally focused production.
“Additive manufacturing is a cornerstone of our vision for the future of aerospace. This partnership with Norwegian Catapult enables us to fully industrialise additive technology and bring sustainable, high-performance solutions closer to our customers,” said Sébastien Aknouche, Senior Vice President of Material Solutions at GKN Aerospace.
Strengthening Global Additive Manufacturing Strategy
The Kongsberg agreement represents another milestone in GKN Aerospace’s broader plan to expand its global AM footprint, following earlier investments in Sweden and the United States. By working with Norwegian Catapult, the company intends to grow its production capacity, speed up technology development, and bring AM capabilities closer to customers, while supporting Norway’s goal of advancing sustainable industrial technologies.
“Together with GKN Aerospace, we are building a platform for future-oriented manufacturing in Norway. This collaboration combines world-class expertise with a shared ambition to drive technological progress and support a greener industry. By co-investing in this initiative, we ensure that the unique infrastructure and competence GKN Aerospace now gets in Kongsberg becomes available to the broader Norwegian Industry who will follow in GKN Aerospace’s footsteps through learning and testing in the Catapult,” said Ole B. Hoen, Head of Kongsberg Technology Cluster.
The agreement aligns with GKN Aerospace’s long-term innovation strategy, which includes investment in advanced equipment and industrial infrastructure to support next-generation aerospace engines.
Additive Manufacturing Expands Across Aerospace Propulsion
GKN Aerospace’s investment in engine-focused AM aligns with a broader industry trend: propulsion manufacturers worldwide are increasingly turning to AM to unlock new performance levels, streamline production, and support next-generation aerospace systems.
US-based propulsion system manufacturer Beehive Industries unveiled in August the Rampart engine, a fully 3D printed propulsion system developed for use within the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) framework. Nicknamed “The Force Multiplier,” the engine is specifically designed for uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) intended to operate alongside manned fighter aircraft in high-threat environments. It supports a broad set of mission profiles, including strike operations, intelligence and surveillance, decoy deployment, and logistics support.
Elsewhere, New Frontier Aerospace (NFA), an equity-funded startup specializing in advanced rocket propulsion, has successfully completed a series of hot fire tests for its Mjölnir rocket engine. The engine features a full-flow staged combustion cycle, one of the most efficient designs for liquid rocket propulsion. This makes Mjölnir well-suited for reusable launch systems, hypersonic vehicles, and orbital transfer platforms.
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Featured image shows Airplace assembly. Photo via GKN Aerospace.
