GKN delivers 3D printed Ariane 6 nozzle to Airbus Safran Launchers Aerospace
GKN Aerospace has delivered the first advanced Ariane 6 nozzle (SWAN) to Airbus Safran Launchers in France for the Vulcain 2.1 engine. The new state of the art nozzle, which measures 2.5m in diameter incorporates innovative technologies with higher performance, lower lead times and substantial cost reduction. Large scale use of laser welding and laser metal deposition (additive manufacturing) for key structural features resulted in a 90% reduction of component parts, taking it down from approximately 1000 parts to 100 parts.