AS9100D Aerospace Forging Supplier for UK: BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce

August 6, 2026


The United Kingdom’s aerospace manufacturing sectoru led by BAE Systems (Warton, Lancashire), Rolls-Royce (Derby), GKN Aerospace UK (Filton, Bristol), and Leonardo Helicopters UK (Yeovil) is one of the world’s largest and most technically advanced. Rolls-Royce produces the Trent 1000, Trent XWB, Trent 7000, and Pearl engine families consuming Inconel 718, Inconel 625, and Ti-6Al-4V disc and shaft forgings. BAE Systems produces the Typhoon, F-35B, and developing Tempest/GCAP aircraft consuming Ti-6Al-4V and 300M structural forgings. Indian AS9100D and NADCAP-capable forging manufacturers are positioned to supply the UK aerospace supply chain.

CompanyProgrammeKey ForgingMaterial
Rolls-Royce DerbyTrent XWB (A350), Trent 1000 (787)HP/LP compressor discs, fan discInconel 718, Ti-6Al-4V
Rolls-Royce DerbyPearl 15/700 (Bombardier), BR710Turbine structural rings, shaft forgingsInconel 625, 4340
BAE Systems (Warton)Typhoon, F-35B, Tempest/GCAPStructural bulkheads, wing carry-throughTi-6Al-4V STA, 300M
GKN Aerospace (Filton)A380 wing, A350 wing boxesWing rib forgings, spar attach fittings7085-T7452, Ti-6Al-4V
Leonardo UK (Yeovil)AW101 Merlin, AW159 WildcatRotor head structural, transmissionTi-6Al-4V, Inconel 718


Rolls-Royce — headquartered in Derby produces the world’s most fuel-efficient widebody aeroengine (Trent XWB-97) and is the sole supplier of engines for the Airbus A350 (Trent XWB). The Trent family consumes Inconel 718 compressor disc forgings, Ti-6Al-4V fan disc forgings, and Inconel 625 structural casing rings per engine. Rolls-Royce applies NADCAP requirements to all rotating component forging suppliers – NADCAP AC7102 (heat treatment) and AC7114 (NDT) are mandatory. Rolls-Royce’s supplier qualification programme includes an on-site assessment at the Indian forging facility and qualification test discs produced under Rolls-Royce quality team oversight.

BAE Systems — the UK’s largest defence contractor manufactures the Typhoon Eurofighter at Warton (Lancashire), produces F-35B components under the JSF programme, and is developing the Tempest/GCAP sixth-generation combat aircraft. BAE’s aerospace division procurement applies UK MOD defence procurement standards alongside AS9100D. F-35B forging supply from India requires ITAR compliance (as the F-35 is a US-designed platform ITAR applies regardless of production country) and BAE’s supplier quality requirements flowing from Lockheed Martin’s SQAR.

GKN Aerospace UK — headquartered at Filton, Bristol manufactures A380 wing components and A350 wing boxes, as well as nacelles for various Airbus and Boeing aircraft. GKN Aerospace UK is a major Rolls-Royce aeroengine component supplier and holds NADCAP accreditation for its own special processes. GKN Aerospace UK’s forging supply chain requirements mirror those of Rolls-Royce for engine components and Airbus for structural components both requiring AS9100D with NADCAP where applicable.

Leonardo Helicopters UK at Yeovil (formerly AgustaWestland) produces the AW101 Merlin, AW159 Wildcat, and AW189 helicopters for UK and export markets. Helicopter structural forgings rotor head fittings, transmission housing structural members, and main gearbox casing structural rings in Ti-6Al-4V and Inconel 718 are the primary forging categories. Helicopter forging qualification follows the same AS9100D pathway as fixed-wing aerospace but with different geometry requirements (complex 3D shapes with thin webs) that challenge die design capability.

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Vinir Engineering — Capability for this Market

  1. AS9100D full scope, Bureau Veritas, OASIS verifiable.
  2. Inconel 718 double ageing with AMS 2750 TUS at 718°C and 621°C for Rolls-Royce Trent supply.
  3. Ti-6Al-4V STA with alpha case control for BAE Systems structural applications.
  4. 7085-T7452 aluminium forgings under AMS 2770 for GKN Aerospace wing structure.
  5. Ring rolling to Ø4,500mm for Rolls-Royce casing rings and structural rings.
  6. AS9102 FAIR experience.
  7. NABL-accredited testing.
  8.  ITAR awareness and TCP capability for F-35 programme.
  9. Ocean freight Chennai to Southampton or Liverpool: 22–28 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Rolls-Royce supplier qualification timeline for Indian Trent engine forging supply?+–
Rolls-Royce’s supplier qualification for Trent family rotating component forging supply (compressor discs, fan discs) takes 18–30 months from initial engagement. The process includes: AS9100D and OASIS verification (2–4 weeks), NADCAP accreditation verification for heat treatment and NDT (hard gate), on-site assessment by Rolls-Royce’s supply chain quality team at the Indian facility (4–8 weeks to arrange), qualification test disc production with Rolls-Royce quality engineer witness (12–16 weeks), Rolls-Royce materials and quality engineering review (6–8 weeks), and production approval and first order. The NADCAP requirement is the most significant factor suppliers without NADCAP must pursue it concurrently with the qualification process, adding 12–18 months if NADCAP is not already in place.
2.What UK MOD-specific quality requirements apply to BAE Systems Typhoon forging supply?+–
UK MOD procurement follows Defence Standard 05-61 (Requirements for Quality Systems) which aligns with AS9100D but adds UK MOD-specific requirements including: mandatory LRQA (Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance) or equivalent certification body recognition for UK defence programmes, UK Export Control Act compliance for technical data (analogous to US ITAR but with different procedural requirements), and in some cases ITAR compliance for F-35B programme components (which are US-designed). BAE Systems flows these requirements down to its supply chain through BAE’s Supplier Quality Requirements (SQR) documentation issued with purchase orders.
3.How does India’s growing aerospace manufacturing sector affect Indian forging manufacturers’ UK market position?+–
India’s development as an aerospace manufacturing hub through programmes like Make in India aerospace, HAL’s expanding production, and the entry of global OEMs (Airbus, Boeing, GE) into Indian MRO and manufacturing partnerships creates awareness of Indian manufacturing capability among UK aerospace procurement teams. UK aerospace OEMs who already have Indian manufacturing partnerships in other areas (GKN Aerospace has Indian operations, Rolls-Royce has Indian MRO facilities) are more receptive to Indian forging supplier qualification than OEMs without existing India experience. This institutional familiarity reduces the ‘India risk’ perception that UK aerospace procurement teams might otherwise apply.
4. What is the UK’s GCAP (Global Combat Air Programme) and what forging opportunities might it create?+–
GCAP (Global Combat Air Programme) is the UK-Japan-Italy sixth-generation combat aircraft programme, developing the Tempest aircraft to replace the Typhoon from the late 2030s. GCAP is at the conceptual and technology development stage forging procurement is 10–15 years away. However, the technology demonstrator phase and the associated development of new materials (advanced titanium alloys, ceramic matrix composites for hot sections) and manufacturing processes creates near-term opportunities for R&D partnerships with UK aerospace manufacturers. Indian forging manufacturers with advanced titanium and nickel alloy capability who engage with UK GCAP technology partnerships now position themselves for programme supply when production begins.
5.Can Indian forging manufacturers supply to Rolls-Royce for both the Trent XWB (A350) and the Pearl engine (Bombardier business jets)?+–
Yes both engine families are Rolls-Royce products and use the same Rolls-Royce approved supplier list (ASL). A supplier who qualifies for Trent XWB rotating component forgings is typically also approved for Pearl engine components with similar geometry and material specifications. The Pearl engine (derivative of the BR700 family) uses smaller-diameter compressor discs than the Trent XWB an Indian supplier qualified for Trent XWB discs can supply Pearl discs with a relatively straightforward drawing qualification (FAIR) rather than a full supplier re-qualification. This approved-supplier leverage across engine families is a significant advantage of qualifying with Rolls-Royce versus qualifying with a single-engine OEM.