GKN Aerospace Secures Nadcap Certification for Additive Manufacturing
The aerospace supplier becomes the first company to achieve Nadcap accreditation for laser-wire directed energy deposition.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Manufacturing
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GKN Aerospace has officially received Nadcap accreditation for its laser-wire directed energy deposition (L-DED-w) manufacturing process. This certification validates the company's technical procedures for building metal components layer by layer.
Why it matters
The accreditation establishes a standardized, verified foundation for the broader industrial application of L-DED-w in the aerospace and defense sectors. It confirms that the company's production methods meet rigorous international quality controls.
GKN Aerospace has previously produced over 600 fan-case mount rings for the PW1000G engine using additive manufacturing techniques. The Nadcap validation confirms internal compliance across personnel, equipment, and material traceability.
The players
GKN Aerospace
This multinational company is a leading manufacturer of components and assemblies for both civil and defense aerospace industries.
Nadcap
Managed by the Performance Review Institute, this industry-managed program provides global standardization and certification for aerospace manufacturing processes.
The details
The L-DED-w process functions by using a laser to melt metal wire feedstock, constructing intricate components through a precise, layered approach. The Nadcap audit process examined all operational procedures and process controls to ensure consistent quality in every build.
Timeline
GKN Aerospace received its Nadcap accreditation on October 29, 2026.
Market Landscape
This accreditation marks a pivotal shift in the adoption of additive manufacturing by validating its reliability against traditional production benchmarks. It positions GKN Aerospace as an industry leader in industrializing high-tech fabrication methods against global manufacturing rivals.
The certification increases the likelihood that additive manufacturing components will be integrated into future aircraft engines, potentially streamlining production timelines. Customers and partners can now expect greater consistency in the manufacturing quality of complex metal aerospace parts.
The takeaway
Achieving this industry-standard accreditation validates the reliability of metal additive manufacturing for high-stakes aerospace engineering. Companies looking to modernize their supply chains should monitor how such certifications accelerate the adoption of layer-by-layer production techniques.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Manufacturing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Aerospace Testing International.
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