Collaboration
Airbus says it has signed an agreement with Spirit AeroSystems through its subsidiary for the development of CityAirbusNextGen’s wings.
According to Airbus, this partnership will support its exploration of disruptive aircraft design while complying with the most stringent regulations. Spirit AeroSystems will be responsible for developing and manufacturing CityAirbusNextGen’s wings in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Both partners’ ambition is to achieve a minimum weight solution while ensuring the highest levels of safety.
The structural concept of the eVTOL’s fixed wings will be able to transmit the related aerodynamic loads while being optimized for the right balance between hover and cruise efficiency.
CityAirbusNextGen’s distributed propulsion system will contribute to reducing the influence of air turbulence.
Jörg Müller, Head of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) at Airbus, notes: “The partnership with Spirit AeroSystems is an important step for the development of CityAirbusNextGen and its wings are key structural components for flight efficiency.”
The fully electric CityAirbusNextGen is an eVTOL prototype equipped with fixed wings, a V-shaped tail, and eight electrically powered propellers as part of its distributed propulsion system. CityAirbusNextGen is being developed to fly with a 80km operational range and to reach a cruise speed of 120 km/h, making it perfectly suited for a variety of missions. Airbus is developing a UAM solution with eVTOLs not only to offer a new mobility service in urban areas and beyond but also as an important step in its quest to reduce emissions in aviation all over its product range.