GKN Aerospace (gknaerospace.com) and Eviation (www.eviation.co) are to collaborate on the design and manufacture of the wings, empennage and electrical wiring interconnection systems (EWIS) for ‘Alice’, a ground-breaking regional electric aircraft recently launched by Israel-based Eviation. The aircraft is aiming to change the way people travel, by making journeys of distances up to 650 miles more sustainable.

GKN Aerospace is the world’s multi-technology leader in design and manufacturing of lightweight aerostructures and EWIS systems, as well as being a key partner in the Airbus ‘Wing of Tomorrow’ programme and market leader in lightweight business jet empennages.

As part of GKN Aerospace’s collaboration agreement with Eviation, design and manufacturing activities are already ongoing on-site at Eviation’s base in Israel and in several GKN Aerospace engineering centres across Europe.

GKN Aerospace is using its world-leading capability in the design and manufacture of advanced lightweight aerostructures and EWIS - as proven on the Airbus A220, A320, A330, A400M, A350 XWB, Boeing 767 and 787, Dassault F6X, F7X, F8X Gulfstream G550, G650, G700 and the Lockheed Martin F-35 - to mature the design of the empennage, wing and EWIS of Alice.

John Pritchard, president, GKN Aerospace civil airframes, said: “We are excited to collaborate with Eviation and to support the development of this all-new electric aircraft. The development of all-electric aircraft is ground-breaking; it’s a step change in aviation and we are delighted to contribute. As technology leaders in wing, empennage and EWIS design, we can bring unrivalled knowledge and expertise to the project.”

Matteo Borghini Lilli, GKN Aerospace Wing Product Group director, said: “In the quest for more sustainable and environmentally friendly aviation, we are excited to be part of the Eviation programme, which is at the forefront in taking electric flight from a future aspiration into today’s reality. GKN Aerospace is proud to bring its wealth of experience in design and certification, in conjunction with key technological innovations, to achieve this aspiration.”

Omer Bar Yohay, Eviation’s CEO and co-founder, said: “GKN Aerospace brings tremendous expertise to the program, allowing us to think again about what could be achieved with advanced aerostructures. I trust that we will see GKN Aerospace take on a growing part of our development and manufacturing effort as the programme matures and Alice nears production.”