Collins Aerospace has won a $3.6 million grant to develop Next Generation Complex Composite Components (NGC3) as part of a collaboration with three other companies: Composite Integration, Crompton Mouldings, and Bitrez, the company announced at the Dubai Airshow. The grant comes as part of the UK Aerospace Technology Institute’s “Accelerating Ambition” innovation strategy, according to Collins .
The partners will manufacture NGC3 using techniques such as tailored resin systems, advanced braiding, and resin transfer molding; parts will include complex fuel pipes, flexible integrated transmission shafts, and braided pressure vessels. Work will be done at Collins Aerospace’s Actuation Systems facility in Banbury.
For the first time at a major international airshow, Collins Aerospace is showcasing its many product lines in partnership with its parent company Raytheon Technologies. Although the two companies couldn't combine their Dubai Airshow exhibits, which are adjacent to each other, both cover a wide variety of product lines and services, from redefining the travel experience to the connected battlespace environment and avionics and cabin management systems.
“This is the first time we’re partnered with the Raytheon Technologies family,” said Colin Mahoney, Collins Aerospace president of customer and account management. “We’re aligned strategically around our markets."
At the Collins stand (#1160), the company is highlighting its Pro Line Fusion avionics, which equip the Embraer KC-390, Airbus A220, Bombardier Global business jets, Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor, and other aircraft. The company’s Venue cabin management system also is on display and available for show visitors to sample.
The so-called connected environment is another key focus at the Collins exhibit. “We’ve been able to bring that connected ecosystem to life,” Mahoney explained, thanks to its ownership of flight planning and communications unit ArincDirect and the former ICG, an Iridium satcom manufacturer. “That gave us airborne infrastructure and equipment on airplanes...with services and smart products,” he said.
On the military side, Collins and Raytheon (Stand 1260) are focusing on the connected battlespace and offering briefings on products related to that subject at their exhibits.
“From communications to sensing to flight deck applications, who we partner with in the region is important," he said. "We’ve learned we can’t be all things to all people without partnerships." In the Middle East, Collins has projected a presence for more than 50 years and it employs more than 400 people in the region.
For commercial products, “Collins has an extensive footprint of capabilities through interiors, lightning, and advanced galley equipage,” said Mahoney. “For those product lines, the Middle East is extremely important.”
Sustainability remains a key focus area for Collins Aerospace. “It has been a journey we’ve been on for a good period of time,” he noted.
Collins is also a member of the Air Transport Action Group, which is working to help achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. “We’re focusing on the operational environment to do what we can to minimize greenhouse gases through operations,” Mahoney said. Many Collins facilities are adopting renewable energy sources, “and we’re taking that seriously,” he added. “Customers expect that from us as well.”