Belfast-based Spirit AeroSystems has been chosen to manufacture the wings for an experimental ‘multicopter’ aircraft being developed by Airbus.
CityAirbus NextGen is an all-electric, four-seat vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) multicopter.
It has a 80-km range and a cruise speed of 120 km/h, making it perfectly suited to zero-emission flight operations in major cities, said Airbus.
Spirit AeroSystems’ east Belfast plant will manufacture and supply the wings for the aircraft.
Both partners’ ambition is to achieve a minimum weight solution, while ensuring the highest levels of safety, the two firms said.
The fully electric CityAirbus NextGen was revealed in September at the Airbus Summit. It is equipped with fixed wings, a V-shaped tail, and eight electrically powered propellers as part of its distributed propulsion system.
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Jörg Müller, head of urban air mobility (UAM) at Airbus, commented: “The partnership with Spirit AeroSystems is an important step for the development of CityAirbus NextGen and its wings are key structural components for flight efficiency.
“To build an optimized vehicle for cleaner and safer air transport, we are proud to onboard Spirit as a strategic partner who benefits from a proven track record in this field, and extensive experience in component quality and airworthiness.”
US-headquartered Spirit AeroSystems describes itself as one of the world’s largest suppliers of aerostructures.
Main image: Airbus’ CityAirbus NextGen multicopter (credit: Airbus)
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