Airbus starts assembly of its first 'Wing of Tomorrow' prototype

Airbus announced (22-Sep-2021) its 'Wing of Tomorrow' research and technology programme commenced the assembly of its first full-size wing prototype. The programme will test the latest composite materials and new technologies in aerodynamics and wing architecture. It will also explore how wing manufacturing and industrialisation can be improved to meet future demand as the sector emerges from the coronavirus pandemic. Airbus will manufacture three full-size prototype wings: one will be used to understand systems integration; a second will be structurally tested to compare against computer modelling, while a third will be assembled to test scaling-up production and compare against industrial modelling. [more - original PR]