Albany International delivers advanced 3D woven VTP fitting to Aernnova for Clean Sky 2 technology demonstrator

Albany International Corp. announced today its subsidiary Albany Engineered Composites has delivered its first composite vertical tail plane (VTP) fitting to support the Aernnova Clean Sky 2 full composite rear-end fuselage technology demonstrator. AEC's collaboration with Aernnova represents the companies shared efforts at developing high volume industrialized and sustainable manufacturing technologies for next generation light weight aerostructures. AEC's composite VTP fitting has a uniquely designed hybrid preform of 3D woven and non-crimp fabric architectures for optimised load carrying capabilities.

Brent Stevenson, AEC's VP of Research and Technology commented: "The ability to design and fabricate highly complex loaded composite components such as the VTP fitting is uniquely enabled by our advance 3D woven technology. Future zero emission aerostructures technologies will need to achieve the optimum balance between weight, performance, cost and industrialisation volumes without forgetting sustainability goals. We were very pleased with the collaborative approach adopted by both teams at AEC and Aernnova in developing this unique composite solution.”

Miguel Á. Castillo, Aernnova´s VP Technology Development, highlights: “The excellent collaboration with AEC has been a key part of this Advanced Rear End demonstrator success. AEC has provided the interface composite fitting that connects the rear fuselage with the vertical stabilizer in a new composite material approach avoiding a metallic part configuration.”

Greg Harwell, AEC President added: “We continue to invest heavily in the development and simulation of applications such this composite fitting. Given the current geopolitical pressures, the challenges to supply chain and difficulties in accessing raw materials such as titanium, the ability to design, develop and industrialize light-weight composite components has become even more mission critical.”