On the 20th July 2022 Airbus has announced that they have successfully delivered its first first full-size wing prototype or ‘demonstrator’ that will help mature next-generation wing technologies. This is part of the Airbus’ transnational R&T – Wing of Tomorrow programme.
“The completion of the first of three fully composite wing demonstrators marks the integration of more than 100 different component and manufacturing technologies that include an all-new industrial assembly system, and which have helped validate key automation targets.”
Sabine Klauke, Airbus Chief Technical Officer, said: “Wing of Tomorrow brings a completely different build philosophy to the way we currently assemble wings and is a crucial part of our R&T portfolio that will help us assess the industrial feasibility of wing production in the future.”
Early assembly of the “eco-wing” type was start around 22 September 2021 and was to test the latest composite materials and new technologies in aerodynamics and wing architecture. Airbus at the time built 3 full size prototypes to test.
Part-funded by the UK’s Aerospace Technology Institute the 3 wings would bring together more than 100 new technologies and would explore new manufacturing and technical techniques.
Airbus said – “Wing of Tomorrow composite components are designed to make the best use of technologies and reduce the amount of work during the assembly phase by more than 50%. Automation of the remaining drilling, achieving good tolerance control and wing shape, as well as the introduction of new approaches to inspection and validation will support Airbus’ ambition to create the most highly efficient wings of the future.”
Source – Airbus Press Release
