GKN Aerospace, which plays a key role in supplying the transparent bubble around the cockpit for the U.S.’s state-of-the-art F-35 jets, is facing a torrent of criticism after a near-meltdown at a tank containing hazardous material.
A chemical vapor release at the British-owned plant in Garden Grove caused the evacuation of more than 40,000 nearby residents, and the economic devastation has left people shaken and demanding better disaster preparations.
Several lawsuits have already been filed against the facility, whose owners could also face criminal prosecution.
GKN Aerospace isn’t saying much, just issuing a statement on its website.
“We apologize for the disruption this incident has caused and as we turn to the immediate relief and recovery effort, we will continue to work with local officials, community partners and non-profit organisations to support affected residents, businesses and the wider community,” the updated statement said on May 27.
To many people, calling it an “incident” may have seemed like an understatement.
Garden Grove itself had a little over 170,000 residents as of last year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Answers, Accountability Demanded
A source told the Business Journal that the Garden Grove site employs about 500 workers. The fate of their jobs was not disclosed. The company has been operating in Orange County for at least two decades.
GKN is a major aerospace manufacturer, with headquarters in the U.K. city of Birmingham and 16,000 employees at 32 manufacturing locations in 12 countries. The Garden Grove facility offers a full range of capabilities for the design, analysis, testing, and certification of military canopies, cockpit windows, and passenger windows.
The site uses specialized chemical processes involving methyl methacrylate for acrylic materials and advanced coatings. It is one of very few facilities worldwide with this expertise.
GKN is the key supplier of the F-35’s jet canopy, a proprietary, high-performance transparency providing unique visibility and pilot protection.
In 2024, GKN Aerospace announced plans to double the F-35 canopy production capacity at its Garden Grove site. It said the expansion would create more than 100 new skilled jobs across a range of disciplines, including manufacturing and engineering.
It said an investment from an unnamed customer of up to $150 million would support tools and equipment for the state-of-the-art new production line, which will help meet continued demand for the F-35 Lightning II over the next decade. The expansion was scheduled to be completed by next January and a new production line would be built near GKN Aerospace’s existing Garden Grove facility.
“We’re proud and honored to support the F-35 for the next decade,” Shawn Black, president of GKN Aerospace’s Defence Airframe business, said in the 2024 announcement.
“This investment is a crucial step, enabling us to provide the growing international F-35 fleet with the very latest transparencies technology, to help keep servicemen and women safe around the world.”
GKN also manufactures parts for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 737, the Airbus A350, HondaJet and Bombardier C-Series.
The company, which traces its origins to the founding of the Dowlais Ironworks Co. in 1759 in South Wales, last year reported sales of 3.6 billion sterling (USD$4.3 billion).
Last December, GKN reached an agreement with Costa Mesa-based Anduril Industries to collaborate on next-generation uncrewed aerial vehicles.
“GKN Aerospace has long been a significant part of the UK’s industrial landscape, and we’re proud to be partnering with them on leading defence capabilities,” Rich Drake, managing director, Anduril Industries UK, said in a statement at that time. “With this, we will be best placed to enhance the lethality and survivability for our Armed Forces.”
Disneyland, Angels Not Far Away
Garden Grove is also the headquarters of Harbinger Motors, which makes chassis for electric vehicles.
The chemical site is just a few miles from Disneyland.
GKN’s tank began heating up uncontrollably on May 21, leading to concerns it could explode or rupture.
The 34,000-gallon structure contains methyl methacrylate, which health officials said could be toxic if inhaled. The chemical is used in plastics manufacturing.
An initial evacuation order was issued on May 21 and then expanded a day later. It was fully lifted on May 26.
During a packed community meeting about the emergency, residents demanded answers and accountability from city leaders and GKN Aerospace, Fox 11 Los Angeles reported.
Garden Grove Mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein said the company must answer for what happened.
“There must be accountability,” Fox quoted her as saying. “GKN must be held accountable for their role in this incident.”
Orange County Rep. Derek Tran has called for a “deep investigation” into the company.
