FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom – When they perform their Farnborough Airshow demonstrations this week, the world-renowned Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, will be supported by the expertise of GE Aviation, Hamble – as throughout their 50 seasons.
The integrated canopy and windscreen assembly on the Red Arrows' Hawk jet aircraft is supplied by GE Aviation, Hamble – the aerostructures business of GE Aviation – which produces these flight-critical structures at the company's design, manufacturing and development centre in Southampton, Hampshire.
GE Aviation, Hamble's aerostructures facility also was the design and production site for the Red Arrows' first aircraft: the Folland Gnat, which was used through until 1979 and established the team's reputation as the world's premier aerobatic display team.
For the follow-on Hawk – an advanced jet trainer produced by BAE Systems – GE Aviation, Hamble manufactured major structural components for the aircraft, along with the integrated canopy and windscreen assemblies.
Today, the company's Hamble-le-Rice site continues to produce the canopy and windscreen assemblies, using stretched and cast acrylic materials for the transparencies, with the canopy frame being principally of metallic construction. Final build-up of the integrated assembly includes the fitting of a miniature detonating cord for crew escape, followed by the company's production acceptance testing and delivery as a complete, integrated system to the customer. GE Aviation, Hamble also manufactures and maintains external fuel tanks for Hawk aircraft, allowing additional range to be achieved.
With its sustained production, more than 1,000 aircraft sets of the canopy and windscreen assemblies have been produced for the Hawk jet aircraft family. GE Aviation, Hamble also provides full repair and overhaul capabilities worldwide for all-in service Hawk aircraft derivatives.
This year, the Red Arrows are celebrating 50 seasons of displays, with the team's first performance being in 1965. At Farnborough, the Red Arrows are due to fly displays on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components, aerostructures, nacelles and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings.