GKN Aerospace Secures New Nadcap Additive Accreditation
Operators in aerospace must now benchmark additive processes against this newly validated industrial standard for metal production.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Manufacturing
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GKN Aerospace has become the first company to achieve Nadcap accreditation for its laser-wire directed energy deposition (L-DED-w) manufacturing process. This certification validates the company's industrial-scale additive manufacturing procedures for aerospace applications.
Why it matters
Securing Nadcap accreditation establishes a standardized, audit-ready framework for L-DED-w, lowering the barrier for its adoption in high-stakes aerospace and defense production. It provides operators with a validated benchmark for material control and process quality in metal additive manufacturing.
GKN Aerospace is the first company to receive Nadcap accreditation for L-DED-w after producing 600 fan-case mount rings for the PW1000G engine. The validation covers critical operational areas including process controls, equipment, and material traceability.
The players
GKN Aerospace
A global multi-technology Tier 1 supplier to the aerospace industry specializing in complex structures and engine components.
The details
The L-DED-w process uses a laser to melt metal wire feedstock, building components layer by layer to create complex geometries. The Nadcap accreditation requires rigorous documentation of operating procedures, personnel qualifications, and equipment maintenance. This formal validation ensures that every phase of the additive manufacturing cycle meets the stringent safety and quality requirements demanded by the aerospace sector.
Timeline
- 2026-10-29
GKN Aerospace officially received Nadcap accreditation for its laser-wire additive process.
Market Landscape
The Nadcap accreditation program acts as the primary quality gate for aerospace suppliers, dictating how specialized manufacturing technologies gain market legitimacy. By formalizing L-DED-w within these standards, the industry is shifting toward broader adoption of additive processes for flight-critical components.
Operators in additive manufacturing should view this accreditation as the new quality benchmark for laser-wire deposition and audit their own process documentation accordingly. Management teams should prioritize aligning internal personnel and material controls with Nadcap requirements to prepare for future supply chain integration.
The takeaway
This accreditation signals that additive manufacturing is moving from experimental use to audited, industrial-scale production. Manufacturing leads should review their current quality management systems against Nadcap requirements to see if their proprietary processes meet these emerging industry standards.
Further reading
For broader trends in additive technology, see the Manufacturing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Aerospace Testing International.
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Do you trust the use of 3D-printed metal parts in commercial aircraft components?
