United Kingdom-based aircraft manufacturer Britten-Norman marks significant achievement in the domestic production of Islander aircraft models
In a significant development for the UK's aerospace industry, Britten-Norman, a renowned aircraft manufacturer based on the Isle of Wight, has reached a significant milestone in its program to bring full aircraft production of the Islander aircraft to its Bembridge facility.
The company's reshoring plans, announced in 2023, have seen it invest heavily in advanced manufacturing technologies, including state-of-the-art CNC equipment, to enhance production capabilities. As a result, Britten-Norman has grown its workforce by more than 40% in the past 12 months, and its new production line is now well advanced.
The demand for the Islander remains strong, with confirmed orders and multiple Letters of Intent already secured. In fact, Britten-Norman has completed more than 50% of the first new UK-built Islander's assembly, and final assembly is scheduled for early 2026, with the first delivery planned for spring 2026. This ramping up of production can now offer operators increased access to newly built Islanders.
Meanwhile, the opportunity for composites in UK aerospace has been discussed by Alex Hickson, head of Technology - Structures, Manufacturing & Materials at the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI). Craig Collier, founder, president & CEO of design and analysis software specialists, Collier Aerospace, also explained how the company's products can help aerospace engineers with multiple part design challenges.
Elsewhere, Dassault Systèmes has announced that the NCC has adopted the 3DEXPERIENCE platform on the cloud and extended its use to other innovation centres within the UK High Value Manufacturing Catapult network. Brookhouse Aerospace has also invested over £500,000 in additional machinery to extend its engineering capabilities.
In other news, Lockheed Martin has achieved a breakthrough in tactical airlift durability with the latest structural testing of the C-130J Super Hercules. The company will also upgrade the Republic of Korea Air Force's F-16 Block 52 flight simulators to mirror the advanced capabilities of its modernised F-16 Viper (F-16V) aircraft.
As Britten-Norman continues its transformation, it's clear that the UK aerospace sector is thriving, with innovative companies investing in technology and talent to drive growth and innovation.
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