Airbus has launched a new flight-test campaign to evaluate high-span wing technologies for future single-aisle aircraft, advancing the next phase of its Wing of Tomorrow research and technology programme.
Over the next three years, the aircraft manufacturer will design, build and test full-scale wing extensions that will be installed on an Airbus A321neo to assess their performance in real flight conditions. The programme aims to explore how longer, lighter and more slender wings can improve aerodynamic efficiency and reduce fuel consumption in next-generation aircraft.
The wing extensions, each spanning several metres, will simulate folding wing concepts in their fully extended configuration during flight. Equipped with extensive instrumentation, the test articles will capture data on wing behaviour and examine the impact of increased wingspan on aircraft handling and performance.
Sue Partridge, Head of Airbus‘ Wing of Tomorrow programme, said the initiative represents a significant step in developing more efficient aircraft technologies.
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“For more than 50 years, Airbus has spearheaded aviation innovation, continually pushing the boundaries of what’s possible to deliver more efficient aircraft for future generations. This is why the Wing of Tomorrow programme is such an exciting and rewarding journey to be on,” Partridge said.
“Importantly, the wing is one of the biggest levers we have to improve flight efficiency, which is why the Wing of Tomorrow is so critical for our next-generation single-aisle aircraft. This flight-test campaign will allow us to safely challenge traditional design limits and explore the benefits of longer wings,” she added.
Airbus is currently using advanced digital modelling and wind tunnel testing to finalise the wing extension designs before flight evaluations begin. The company said the data collected during the campaign will help de-risk future wing concepts and unlock the full benefits of longer-span designs.
The wing extensions will be assembled at Airbus’ Wing Technology Development Centre in the United Kingdom, while flight testing will be conducted in Toulouse, France.
As part of the Wing of Tomorrow programme, Airbus has already built three 17-metre ground-based wing demonstrators to investigate the benefits of increased wingspan and assess more than 100 manufacturing and assembly technologies.
Since 2014, the programme has received £227 million in funding through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) programme, a partnership involving the ATI, the UK Department for Business and Trade, and Innovate UK, aimed at maintaining the United Kingdom’s leadership in aerospace technology.
