GKN Aerospace Secures Ariane 6 Operational Phase Contract
GKN Aerospace to supply ESA-developed LH₂/LOX turbines and nozzles for Ariane 6 under a new operational contract with ArianeGroup.
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GKN Aerospace and ArianeGroup have signed a new Frame Contract for the operational phase of Ariane 6, securing Europe’s access to space for years to come and building on a partnership spanning over five decades. It is the first agreement between ArianeGroup and a major industrial partner as the new European launcher enters its industrial ramp-up.
The new agreement confirms GKN Aerospace’s continued deliveries to the Ariane 6 program throughout the launcher’s operational life, following its successful maiden flight in July 2024 and the first commercial mission in March 2025.
ArianeGroup, a French-German leader in space technology, secures several mission-critical components for the Ariane 6 launch vehicle supplied by GKN Aerospace, including:
- LH₂ and LOX turbines for the first-stage Vulcain 2.1 engine
- Nozzle extension for the Vulcain 2.1 engine
- LH₂ and LOX turbines for the second-stage Vinci engine
These components have been developed in collaboration with ArianeGroup under a European Space Agency (ESA) programme and are produced at GKN Aerospace’s engines centre of excellence in Trollhättan, Sweden.
Ariane 6 is Europe’s next-generation launch vehicle, ensuring independent access to space and offering an efficient, flexible solution for a wide range of institutional and commercial missions. It is launched from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana.
GKN Aerospace has been a trusted partner in the Ariane programme since its inception. This new contract marks the next chapter in a long-standing collaboration, focused on innovation, reliability, and ensuring Europe’s independent access to space.
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