Airborne has partnered with Lockheed Martin to advance composites manufacturing through enhanced automation systems. The project, titled Enhancing the Digital Thread for Composites Manufacturing, will leverage Airborne s Kit by Light (KBL) and Automated Ply Placement (APP) technologies, while Lockheed Martin provides technical expertise to develop automated laminating and kitting systems capable of handling complex composite materials and geometries.

The project will build on Airborne s advanced Kit by Light (KBL) and Automated Ply Placement (APP) technologies.

Recognizing the need for greater agility in complex aerospace part fabrication, Lockheed Martin and Airborne launched a strategic collaboration to advance smart material handling and intelligent automation. The collaboration aims to raise the benchmark for rapid aerospace production. The project plans to enhance Airborne s already robust automation systems, focusing on higher production output, enhanced inspe\ction systems, broader material compatibility, and improved software integration. These developments will support the specific requirements of Lockheed Martin s business units.

For more than 30 years, Airborne has played a leading role in the Dutch composites industry, initially as a manufacturer of composite parts and now as a developer of advanced automation systems for aerospace, defence, automotive, and renewable energy markets.

This collaboration with Lockheed Martin, one of the world s premier aerospace technology companies, is a great vote of confidence for Airborne s solutions. It will enable us to accelerate our mission of pushing the boundaries of automated composites manufacturing, said James McLachlan, Head of Sales at Airborne.