Andrew Doyle/MUNICH
Airbus is about to announce the selection of US manufacturer BFGoodrich (BFG) as the supplier of the main landing gear for the A380 ultra-high-capacity airliner. A decision is expected soon, but industry sources say the internal evaluation by Airbus of bids from BFG and its French rival Messier-Dowty has come down in favour of the US firm for the main A380 undercarriage, with Messier-Dowty providing the nose gear.
The selection of BFG, if confirmed, would meet the Airbus aim of boosting North American industrial participation in the A380. Last year Pratt & Whitney Canada was selected to supply the auxiliary power unit.
In formulating its decision Airbus is working on the assumption that Messier-Dowty will be awarded the undercarriage contract for the Airbus Military Company A400M, because of industrial workshare requirements on the yet-to-be-launched airlifter.
Jürgen Thomas, advisor to Airbus chief executive, Noël Foregeard, and former large aircraft division head, declines to comment on the selection process other than confirming that the company has identified its "preferred option". He also confirms that the A380 main gear will be awarded to a single supplier, that the nose gear will go to a different supplier and that he expects Messier-Dowty to win the contract for the A400M.
The plan to equip the A380 with composite outboard wing sections was dropped primarily because much of the nominal 1,400kg (3,080lb) saving per aircraft would have been offset by the weight of the structural joint required to attach the carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) outer third of the wing to the metallic inboard section, says Thomas.
The wing would also have to be strengthened to cope with the resulting loss of "bending relief" due to the lighter structure, giving a weight benefit of "less than 700kg", which Thomas says is not sufficient to justify the higher manufacturing costs. The wings will now be entirely metallic.
Source: Flight International