FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom – GE Aviation, Hamble – the aerostructures business of GE Aviation – is readying its production start-up for the Airbus A350-1000 jetliner's wing fixed trailing edge package, comprising more than 3,000 deliverable components that incorporate structural composite panels, complex machined parts and assemblies.
The A350 XWB wing fixed trailing edge package is the largest design and manufacture contract awarded in GE Aviation, Hamble's 78-year history. GE Aviation, Hamble has full responsibility for the design and build of the fixed trailing edge package on all variants, beginning with the A350-900 version – for which deliveries have been underway since 2011.
Having successfully supported Airbus in the completion of its full five-aircraft flight test fleet, GE Aviation, Hamble has continued its production and is in the process of delivering the 25th A350-900 fixed trailing edge package shipset. The company currently is expanding capacity, while refining efficiencies to meet Airbus' production rate ramp-up for the various A350 XWB versions. This includes the creation of an all-new 9,000-square-meter composites production center at its Hamble-le-Rice headquarters in Southampton, Hampshire – which is part of a $50 million-plus investment to support future manufacturing and new technology developments.
The A350-1000 variant includes a new strengthened, higher performance wing, necessitating a high level of technical change and integration.
Engineering activities managed by GE Aviation, Hamble for its A350 XWB wing responsibilities are being supported by its GE Aviation parent company's resources, including satellite GE Engineering centers in Poland and India. Additionally, GE Aviation, Hamble has played an integral part in the A350 XWB engineering plateau established by Airbus at its Filton, UK facility during the design phases, to ensure close and timely collaboration with other risk-sharing partners and agreement on all technical interface requirements.
GE Aviation is using fully-integrated product development teams, visual management techniques, configuration and risk management processes, along with IT tool suites to meet the program's lead times and delivery schedules.
Supply chain activities for the A350-1000's wing fixed trailing edge package have been initiated, with manufacturing planned to commence this September. Developmental components are being procured ahead of production to ensure repeatable manufacture and rate readiness.
GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components, aerostructures, nacelles and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings.