Airbus has signed a long-term deal for A350-1000 titanium forgings with Russian metals specialist VSMPO-AVISMA, a pact that also includes global aerospace systems supplier Goodrich.

The agreement, disclosed during the MAKS Moscow air show, centres on forgings for the type's main landing gear, for which Goodrich is the supplier.

Airbus said the agreement covers supply of the forgings until 2020.

VSMPO-AVISMA, which has been handed the entire share of titanium forging supplies, will potentially also machine the related titanium forging in the future, in order to develop a "vertically integrated titanium supply chain", said the airframer.

"Supply of the value-added products for the A350 will open more opportunities for our companies in the future," said VSMPO-AVISMA general director Mikhail Voevodin. "It brings our relationship to the next level."

The Russian firm has been a long-term supplier to Airbus and European aerospace and defence company EADS, and provides some 60% of the group's titanium requirements.

Airbus's A350-1000 will have a triple-axle main landing gear bogie, similar to the one that features on the Boeing 777. The twinjet's entry into service, delayed to provide it with a more powerful engine, is set for 2017.

Source: Flight International

Topics