Spirit AeroSystems
Spirit AeroSystems opens a new manufacturing facility in Prestwick, Scotland. Credit: Thomas Nugent.

Spirit AeroSystems has unveiled a new facility to manufacture spoilers for the Airbus A320 family aircraft.

Located at its site in Prestwick, Scotland, the new facility has been built using the latest automation and robotics. It makes use of Spirit’s advanced composite technology.

The facility was officially opened by Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon and will generate more than 100 new jobs in the UK.

Spirit AeroSystem Airbus programmes senior vice-president Scott McLarty said: “This is the result of a three-year journey to secure production of the spoiler in the UK.

“We appreciate the investment support provided by our government and community partners. This new facility allows us to utilise innovative technologies like the Spirit-developed Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) solution to better meet the needs of our customer.”

The RTM solution is capable of supporting the production of spoilers and other monolithic components.

The company said that it will be capable of developing 700 aircraft and 7,000 spoilers a year.

The technology will also deliver enhanced quality and significant cost savings.

Spirit AeroSystems is currently manufacturing the A320 family leading and trailing edge.

McLarty added: “The opening of this new facility is part of Spirit’s journey to becoming a leader in advanced out of autoclave composite technology.

“It demonstrates how we can develop cost-effective new technologies and manufacturing processes that will play a central role in the next generation of aircraft programmes.”

Earlier this month, Spirit AeroSystems agreed with Airspace Experience Technologies (ASX) to develop affordable, certified and all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.