Having joined BAE Systems in 2008, Matt's first role was working as a skilled fitter producing major units for the aircraft which make up fast jet fleets across Europe and the Middle East. He continued as part of the team producing more than a third of the components which make up the jet including the front fuselage, spine tank and tail section.
But when he suffered a serious injury whilst out cycling, it looked as if his connection with the aircraft was over. Matt explains: "I was only about a mile from home and a vehicle clipped the back wheel of my bike and knocking me to the floor and running over my left arm. I suffered a triple open fracture of my upper arm, and it was so bad I was convinced I was going to lose it altogether.
It was a long road to recovery and the injuries I sustained meant I could not do the kind of work I was doing before, but my managers were great. We would have calls every month to see how I was doing, it made me feel like I was still a part of what had become a second family to me.
Matt Cunniffe, Senior Business Support Engineer, BAE Systems
When Matt returned to the facility in Samlesbury, Lancashire, he did so in a business support role bringing his knowledge of life on the shop floor in to other parts of the operation.
In late 2024, the governments of both Italy and Spain confirmed their intentions to acquire 49 more Typhoon aircraft to modernise their fleets, meaning further work for the UK production line. At Samlesbury, work is already underway to deliver the UK's workshare for 20 jets ordered by Spain under a previous contract and 38 aircraft destined for the future of the German Air Force.
Matt says: "It is a great place to work at the moment. We have had periods where work was thin on the ground but we were fortunate to be able to retain people who have the right skills and experience - that is important not just for delivering the product, but for the programme and the UK as a whole.
There has always been a strong family feel about the place, everyone is working towards the same aim and I am so pleased to be able to bring my experience from working on the shop floor in to a different area. You only have to turn on the news to realise the importance of the work we are doing. To know that we are helping the UK and its allies to keep us all safe is a driving force every day.
Matt Cunniffe, Senior Business Support Engineer, BAE Systems
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