Atkins helps Airbus A350 XWB take flight - 16 June 2009
Atkins has been awarded a contract by Airbus Germany to design composite components for the inboard flap of the new A350 XWB aircraft.
Flaps on the aircraft wing change the aerodynamic shape of the aircraft, allowing it to take off and land. Using composite materials is an important step forward because they lower overall aircraft weight and therefore reduce carbon emissions.
Neil Kirk, managing director of Atkins’ Aerospace business, said of the project win:
‘This project is particularly exciting because it’s an opportunity for Atkins to demonstrate that we’re leading in the design and analysis of composite materials and contributing to improved fuel efficiency.’
‘For me, working on the design of the A350 XWB is a ringing endorsement from our client of our technical excellence.’
The win is a key step in the development of Atkins’ business across Europe and recognition for the company’s composites expertise.
Wim van Beinum, managing director for operations in Germany and the Netherlands, added:
‘This project win follows on from our work developing Atkins’ Aerospace business across Europe and will help us strengthen our key client relationship with Airbus Germany.’
The A350 XWB is Airbus’ next passenger aircraft; it is currently in the design phase and scheduled to come into service in 2013. The innovative design of the A350 XWB includes up to 52% composite materials, rather than traditional metallics, and will be the first aircraft to have a wing made entirely of composites. Increasing quantities of composite materials are being used by aerospace engineers because they offer potentially significant improvements in strength to weight ratios, and therefore can help improve an aircraft’s environmental impact.
Atkins acquired the Amsterdam-based company Nedtech Engineering in 2007 and last year also opened an office in Hamburg to ensure it is geographically close to its clients in Germany.
Ends
For more information:
Joanna Thornton (English)
+44 (0) 7834 507826
joanna.thornton@atkinsglobal.com
Wim van Beinum (Dutch and German)
+31 (0) 23 564 9050
wim.vanbeinum@atkinsnedtech.nl
Notes to editors:
Atkins (www.atkinsglobal.com) is a multinational engineering and design consultancy, providing expertise to help resolve complex challenges presented by the built and natural environment. Atkins is one of the largest multidisciplinary consultancies in Europe and the largest engineering consultancy in both the UK and the Middle East. The company employs over 17,000 people.
Atkins provides a comprehensive range of engineering services to the aerospace and defence systems market. This includes design and analysis covering wings, fuselage, moveables and aero-engines, systems engineering and manufacturing engineering. Atkins has Aerospace offices in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany and India.
Atkins is currently working on all Airbus’ aircraft development programmes, including the A380, A330/A340 and A350XWB, and the Joint Strike Fighter. The company is also working on the UK Government-supported Next Generation Composite Wing research programme, which is worth £103 million, and the EU 6th Framework research programme ALCAS.