Mark Hannant
Saab's transition from civil airframe maker to subcontracting partner has received a substantial boost with the award of a $75-million contract by Aerospatiale.
The Swedish company's Collaborative Programs business unit will supply an integrated structural floor assembly for the newly launched Airbus A340-500/600.
Although they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus Large Aircraft Division to become a partner in the A3XX in 1997, this is the first firm contract between the two groups.
Product
Announcing the deal at Asian Aerospace '98, Pontus Kallen, general manager of Saab Collaborative Programs, says: "This first contract for an Airbus product is a significant milestone for us and underlines Saab's commitment to remain a significant player in the field of commercial aviation and our determination to become a major partner and subcontractor to manufacturers of large aircraft."
First delivery of the A340-500/600 is expected in the third quarter of 1999.
The Collaborative Programs division has this year opened new offices in the US and the United Kingdom, the latter to support its work for British Aerospace.
Source: Flight Daily News
