We have been fortunate to work with some of the top aerospace companies in the world, on both research and development level and live commercial projects. To aid in bringing leading edge aircraft technologies to the market, for a safer, more efficient and ultimately better performing aircraft.

Demand for commercial and military aircraft continues to rise along with a substantial increase in defence spending which has contributed to the growth of the aerospace and defence industry in recent years. This can be seen by the increase in revenue across the board for each of the top 10 aerospace companies, ranked by total revenue. 2 of which are UK based companies, 7 US out of the US and 1 based in Europe.

Having worked with some of world’s largest aerospace companies we keep up to date, with the news and updates about the industry and have compiled a list of the top 10 list of UK aerospace companies.

If you’d like to find out more about some of the aerospace projects that South Coast Composites has been involved in and how we might be able to help with your next project, click here to get in contact and we’ll be more than happy to help discuss your needs.

1. Boeing $93.39bn (£71.22bn) – US Company

Boeing manufactures commercial jets and military aircraft, defence products, space and security systems. With its Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the company employs approximately 140,000 people and serves customers in 150 countries.

With annual revenue of $93.39bn in 2017, mainly driven by its aerospace and defence businesses the company topped the industry after delivering a total of 763 commercial aircraft for the sixth year running.

Boeing operates through four major segments, Defence, Space, Security and Commercial Airplanes. Some of the company’s defence products include: the EA-18G Growler, P-8 Poseidon, F/A-18 Hornet, CH-47 Chinook, F-15 Strike Eagle, and KC-46A Tanker.

The company also acquired US-based Aurora Flight Sciences in November 2017 and delivered 170 military aircraft and four satellites in 2017.

2. Airbus SE $75.27bn (£57.40bn) – European Company

Europe’s leading aerospace and defence company Airbus SE (formerly Airbus Group SE) earned a revenue of $75.27bn in 2017, supported by the record deliveries of 718 commercial aircraft.

With its headquarters in the Netherlands, the company offers products for military, commercial and security markets. The company has also agreed to acquire a majority stake in Bombardier’s C Series aircraft programme in October 2017.

Airbus employs 130,000 people across 180 locations worldwide. Its products included: military aircraft such as A400M airlifter, the A330 MRTT and commercial aircraft such as A320, A330 and A350 XWB families, Earth observation, navigation and communications satellites, as well as civil/military helicopters.

3. United Technologies Corporation (UTC) $59.83bn (£45.63bn) – US Company

With headquarters in Farmington, Connecticut, United Technologies develops and manufactures propulsion systems, components and engines for commercial and military aircraft. The company also provides building automation and security systems.

United Technologies Corporation’s net sales for 2017 increased 5% to $59.83bn, reflecting the growth in commercial aftermarket and military sales, and service sales.

United Technologies employs 204,700 people across its four principal business segments, including Pratt & Whitney, UTC Aerospace Systems, Otis, and UTC Climate, Controls & Security. The company signed an agreement to acquire US-based company Rockwell Collins in September 2017.

4. Lockheed Martin $49.97bn (£38.11bn) – US Company

Lockheed Martin provides products and services for defence, aerospace and security applications. Its product base includes advanced military aircraft, unmanned air vehicles, land vehicles, weapon systems, air and missile defence systems, naval systems, military and commercial helicopters, and security systems.

Global aerospace and defence company Lockheed Martin Corporation, based in Bethesda, Maryland, reported net sales of $49.97bn in 2017, approximately 8% compared to 2016.

Approximately 69% of the company’s 2017 revenue came from the US Government and the Department of Defense contracts, with the F-35 programme alone accounting for 25%.

Lockheed Martin operates through four business segments, including Missiles and Fire Control (MFC), Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS), Aeronautics, and Space (formerly Space Systems). The company employs roughly 100,000 people across the globe.

5. General Dynamics $30.97bn (£23.62bn) – US Company

With its headquarters in Virginia, General Dynamics offers products and services for various aerospace and defence applications, including combat vehicles, munitions, weapons systems, shipbuilding, business aircraft, C4ISR, and information technology (IT).

General Dynamics employs 98,600 people across its four business segments, including Combat Systems, Aerospace, Marine Systems, and Information Systems and Technology.

General Dynamics Corporation saw a 1.3% revenue growth in 2017 to $30.97bn compared to 2016, assisted by the growth of its operating units and across all product categories.

6. GE Aviation $27.37bn (£20.87bn) – US Company

GE Aviation, based in Evendale, Ohio, manufactures jet and turboprop engines, avionics and digital systems for commercial, military and general aviation aircraft, as well as marine applications. The company employs approximately 40,000 people worldwide.

General Electric’s (GE) aviation segment GE Aviation reported annual revenue of $27.37bn in 2017, fuelled by services, cost productivity, and the LEAP jet engine deliveries.

The company operates two joint ventures (JVs) with Safran Aircraft Engines, namely CFM International and CFM Materials. Some of the leading products from GE Aviation include F110, F404, F414, T700, LEAP, GE90, GEnx, CFM56, and CF6.

7. Northrop Grumman $25.8bn – US Company

With a workforce of approximately 70,000 in 25 countries, Northrop Grumman provides aerospace and mission systems, airborne C4ISR, cyber security solutions, and logistics services for civil and military platforms. The company’s operating segments are Aerospace Systems, Mission Systems and Technology Services.

Northrop Grumman’s net sales in 2017 were $25.8bn, primarily driven by higher sales volume in Mission Systems and Aerospace Systems segments.

The company’s product portfolio includes E-2D Advanced Hawkeye early warning aircraft, Global Hawk unmanned air vehicle, B-2 Spirit bomber, B-21 Raider bomber, and X-47B unmanned combat air vehicle.

8. Raytheon $25.34bn (£19.33bn) – US Company

Raytheon is engaged in providing defence systems, missiles, electronic warfare, and cybersecurity solutions to government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, Raytheon operates offices in 19 countries with roughly 64,000 employees and provides services to customers in 80 countries.

The company operates through five business segments, including Integrated Defense Systems, Missile Systems, Space and Airborne Systems, Intelligence, Information and Services, and Forcepoint.

With net sales of $25.34bn, Raytheon Company saw a year-over-year growth of 5.1% in 2017 compared to 2016. The net sales benefited from record international and classified sales.

9. BAE Systems  $23.59bn (£17.99bn) – UK Company

BAE Systems is involved in developing products and services for various applications such as military and civil aircraft, naval ships, submarines, combat vehicles, weapon systems, cyber and intelligence, and security systems.

British defence, aerospace and security company BAE Systems recorded a revenue of $23.59bn (£17.99bn) in 2017. The revenue was driven by electronic warfare contracts from F-35 Lightning II and DEWS programmes, APKWS laser-guided rockets, and increasing classified activity.

The company employs a workforce of 83,200 across 40 countries. Some of its defence products include Astute class submarine, Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier, Type 45 air defence destroyer, Type 26 frigates, CV90 combat vehicle, and Hawk jet trainer.

10. Rolls-Royce $22bn (£16.78 bn) – UK Company

Rolls-Royce is a major supplier of aero engines and propulsion systems for military and commercial aircraft and marine platforms. The company employs more than 50,000 employees in 50 countries.

The company operates through five business segments, including Civil Aerospace, Defence Aerospace, Marine, Power Systems, and Nuclear. Civil Aerospace is the company’s biggest segment, accounting for 53% of the total revenues in 2017.

Rolls-Royce, is one of the leading industrial technology companies based in London, reported revenue of $22bn (£16.30bn) in 2017, a 6% increase compared to 2016. The revenue was supported by a 35% increase in engine deliveries to 483, flying hour growth and higher maintenance activities.

Rolls-Royce obtained regulatory approval to acquire a 53.1% stake in Industria de Turbo Propulsores (ITP) from Sener Grupo de Ingeniería in December 2017 and booked £17.2bn ($23.7bn)-worth orders during the year.

Find Out More…

If you’d like to find out more about projects that we have delivered to the aerospace industry and how we might be able to help with your next project, click here to get in contact and we’ll be more than happy to help discuss your needs.