Bombardier Aerospace key player in aircraft wing technology research programme

Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast today announced its involvement in a three-year UK national research programme aimed at developing and validating technologies that are expected to lead to a new generation of aircraft wings. The £34 million 'Integrated Wing' programme brings together 17 leading UK organizations from industry, research bodies and academia. Jointly funded by industry, the Department of Trade and Industry, and Regional Development Agencies including Invest Northern Ireland, it will address sustainable aviation challenges, such as environmental impact, fuel burn and maintenance costs. The programme, which forms a key element of the UK National Aerospace Technology Strategy, will look at new wing design, materials and manufacturing techniques, noise reduction and flow control, and advanced fuel and landing gear systems. The aim is to determine the most promising combination of technologies and develop a large-scale physical demonstrator in a second phase of the programme. Bombardier Aerospace is leading the Wing Structures package of the programme, and will be focusing primarily on developing composites technologies, including design and analysis techniques, simulation and modeling, materials selection and advanced manufacturing processes. Bombardier's Belfast operation already designs and manufactures large aircraft structures for all of Bombardier's families of aircraft, as well as engine nacelle systems for several engine manufacturers. It is also a centre of excellence for advanced composites, and has made significant investment in recent years in this area of its business, particularly in Resin Transfer Moulding and Resin Transfer Infusion technology.

Speaking about Bombardier's role in the Integrated Wing programme, Michael Ryan, VicePresident and General Manager, Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast, said: "This is an excellent opportunity for us to participate in a collaborative research programme that will enable us to further develop our capabilities and skills in the design and manufacture of large aircraft structures. "Developing new technologies also helps to underpin our competitiveness in terms of enabling us to provide higher value added products in an extremely challenging market place. We are delighted to be involved in a programme that not only allows us to demonstrate our innovation, but which could lead to a completely new way of designing aircraft, and indeed potentially change the very look of aircraft of the future. The programme will also play an important part in helping the UK aerospace industry meet its commitments to sustainable aviation."