Fat Clemenza
4th Dec 2006, 06:22
EADS approves A350 XWB; Airbus plans five variants, including freighter
Monday December 4, 2006 Airbus parent EADS' board gave its approval late Friday for the industrial launch of the A350 XWB, the first of which will enter service in 2013.
The decision followed months of debate over the midsize long-range aircraft program's viability and funding. A statement issued by Airbus gave little detail on financing. EADS Co-CEO and Airbus President and CEO Louis Gallois said earlier last week that 50% of the aircraft's production would be outsourced to keep costs down (ATWOnline, Nov. 30) (http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=7212). "The decision [to launch the program] is based on strong market demand and customer backing," Airbus said.
The plane maker said the A350 XWB will be available in three basic passenger versions: The A350-800 designed to seat 270 passengers in a three-class configuration with a range of 8,500 nm., the dash 900 seating 314 with a range of up to 8,300 nm. and the dash 1000 with 350 seats and the same range as the dash 900. The passenger versions will have a cruise speed of Mach 0.85. The cross-section will be 232 in., which Airbus said will make it the "widest fuselage in its category." The 2013 service entry is one year later than it announced last summer at Farnborough (ATWOnline, July 18) (http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=5739).
The company also plans to build "an ultra-long-range" version, the A350-900R, and a freighter version, the dash 900F. Boeing's 787, against which the A350 is likely to compete, does not have a freighter variant.
"The A350 XWB has it all to become a great success--the most advanced technologies, the best economics and the highest level of comfort. It is a direct response to market demand," Gallois said. "The decision follows a thorough review of all the resources available to ensure a smooth development."
Airbus said the aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines delivering 75,000-95,000 lb. thrust. "We are very pleased to join Airbus for its A350 XWB program," Rolls CEO John Rose said. "Together we are committed to set new standards in fuel efficiency, maintainability and engine reliability." The manufacturer did not name any other engine provider.
The aircraft will employ carbon fiber-reinforced plastic paneled fuselage skins, which permit "easier maintainability and reparability of individual airframe parts, while also allowing the structure of the panels to be much better optimized in terms of design to the stress and load requirements of each individual airframe part," Airbus said. "Over 60% of the airframe will be made of new materials."
The company, which has said it will embark on a major restructuring next year in response to the extensive delays to the A380 program, promised to reveal further details of the A350 XWB program at a briefing today.
http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=7246
It was about time! And are they sure the 380 mess won't affectt he program and cuase further delays???
Monday December 4, 2006 Airbus parent EADS' board gave its approval late Friday for the industrial launch of the A350 XWB, the first of which will enter service in 2013.
The decision followed months of debate over the midsize long-range aircraft program's viability and funding. A statement issued by Airbus gave little detail on financing. EADS Co-CEO and Airbus President and CEO Louis Gallois said earlier last week that 50% of the aircraft's production would be outsourced to keep costs down (ATWOnline, Nov. 30) (http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=7212). "The decision [to launch the program] is based on strong market demand and customer backing," Airbus said.
The plane maker said the A350 XWB will be available in three basic passenger versions: The A350-800 designed to seat 270 passengers in a three-class configuration with a range of 8,500 nm., the dash 900 seating 314 with a range of up to 8,300 nm. and the dash 1000 with 350 seats and the same range as the dash 900. The passenger versions will have a cruise speed of Mach 0.85. The cross-section will be 232 in., which Airbus said will make it the "widest fuselage in its category." The 2013 service entry is one year later than it announced last summer at Farnborough (ATWOnline, July 18) (http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=5739).
The company also plans to build "an ultra-long-range" version, the A350-900R, and a freighter version, the dash 900F. Boeing's 787, against which the A350 is likely to compete, does not have a freighter variant.
"The A350 XWB has it all to become a great success--the most advanced technologies, the best economics and the highest level of comfort. It is a direct response to market demand," Gallois said. "The decision follows a thorough review of all the resources available to ensure a smooth development."
Airbus said the aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines delivering 75,000-95,000 lb. thrust. "We are very pleased to join Airbus for its A350 XWB program," Rolls CEO John Rose said. "Together we are committed to set new standards in fuel efficiency, maintainability and engine reliability." The manufacturer did not name any other engine provider.
The aircraft will employ carbon fiber-reinforced plastic paneled fuselage skins, which permit "easier maintainability and reparability of individual airframe parts, while also allowing the structure of the panels to be much better optimized in terms of design to the stress and load requirements of each individual airframe part," Airbus said. "Over 60% of the airframe will be made of new materials."
The company, which has said it will embark on a major restructuring next year in response to the extensive delays to the A380 program, promised to reveal further details of the A350 XWB program at a briefing today.
http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=7246
It was about time! And are they sure the 380 mess won't affectt he program and cuase further delays???