'The A380 Technology Platform: A Market Driver for Suppliers'

摘要

In view of material and process selection, A380 was envisioned as a technology platform. In partnership with the airlines, only new technologies that have reached a certain level of maturity were selected. Maturity is determined by manufacturing quality as well as maintainability at the airlines. However, these new, mature technologies offer still further opportunities for development that will lead to continuous improvements throughout the product life cycle. The opportunities can be realized through increased material performance, improved manufacturability, and ease of maintainability. This would lead to additional reductions in weight and costs. The A380 technology platform and requirements for further improvements needed will be described. Success can only be achieved through collaboration of the airframe manufacture, research, materials suppliers, and airlines.