Denel (Pty) Ltd2006-09-25 20:26:30
Denel to build "bones� for Airbus A400M Vertical Tail Plane
Design and manufacturing is being ramped up at Denel Aerostructures as the company's role in the new Airbus A400M military transport aircraft takes off.
In the latest development, Denel has been awarded responsibility for the supply of ribs, spars and swords - the "bones� which form the skeleton structure - for the aircraft's vertical tailplane (VTP). The forward spar in the VTP is approximately 6.8m in length and the rear spar 7.4m in length. This is the longest single monolithic carbon composite structure yet to be manufactured at the Denel Aerostructures composite facility.
This is the latest in a string of orders for design engineering, manufacturing and supply of components that have been awarded to Denel since South Africa formally joined the A400M programme as a partner in April 2005.
South Africa's participation in the programme was prompted by Government's decision to modernise the SA Air Force's transport fleet with A400Ms. It will receive eight of the four-engined turbo-prop aircraft from 2010. These versatile aircraft will be deployed on military peacekeeping, humanitarian and disaster relief missions.
Earlier this year Denel delivered the first A400M fuselage top-shells ("roof)� which have been incorporated into the body of the first A400M currently being assembled in Bremen, Germany. One of the biggest elements manufactured by Denel is the wing-to-fuselage fairing. This complex and precision-engineered structure is one of the most important aerodynamic elements of the aircraft, ensuring a smooth, streamlined and un-disrupted flow of air around the area where the wings and aircraft body are joined.
Denel Aerostructures will initially deliver 173 VTP shipsets (a shipset comprises two spars, 14 ribs and a sword) to Airbus. It is envisaged this number will increase as new customers place additional orders for the A400M aircraft.
Design and manufacturing is being ramped up at Denel Aerostructures as the company's role in the new Airbus A400M military transport aircraft takes off.
In the latest development, Denel has been awarded responsibility for the supply of ribs, spars and swords - the "bones� which form the skeleton structure - for the aircraft's vertical tailplane (VTP). The forward spar in the VTP is approximately 6.8m in length and the rear spar 7.4m in length. This is the longest single monolithic carbon composite structure yet to be manufactured at the Denel Aerostructures composite facility.
This is the latest in a string of orders for design engineering, manufacturing and supply of components that have been awarded to Denel since South Africa formally joined the A400M programme as a partner in April 2005.
South Africa's participation in the programme was prompted by Government's decision to modernise the SA Air Force's transport fleet with A400Ms. It will receive eight of the four-engined turbo-prop aircraft from 2010. These versatile aircraft will be deployed on military peacekeeping, humanitarian and disaster relief missions.
Earlier this year Denel delivered the first A400M fuselage top-shells ("roof)� which have been incorporated into the body of the first A400M currently being assembled in Bremen, Germany. One of the biggest elements manufactured by Denel is the wing-to-fuselage fairing. This complex and precision-engineered structure is one of the most important aerodynamic elements of the aircraft, ensuring a smooth, streamlined and un-disrupted flow of air around the area where the wings and aircraft body are joined.
Denel Aerostructures will initially deliver 173 VTP shipsets (a shipset comprises two spars, 14 ribs and a sword) to Airbus. It is envisaged this number will increase as new customers place additional orders for the A400M aircraft.
For more information contact:
PO Box 8322
Centurion
0046
South Africa
Tel: +27 12 671-2700
Fax: +27 12 671-2793
