Prized contracts for work on the Airbus A380 have begun to roll in to the suppliers.
Flight simulator specialist CAE has signed a contract with Airbus for supply of key simulation equipment to support the development of the new aircraft. Titanium producer Verkhnaya Salda Metallurgical Production Association (VMPSO) of Russia has signed a new long-term agreement covering supply of the metal for use across the whole Airbus product range. The A380 will incorporate significant quantities of titanium.
The CAE simulator includes a movable Maxvue visual system that can be used with roll-in/roll-out cockpits. It features a five-channel image generator, a collimated display that gives the pilot the illusion of depth vision, and a selection of databases from CAE's library of more than 250 airports.
The CAE contract has options for additional equipment such as cabin motion systems and the next-generation Tropos visual system.
The equipment will be used to help evaluate and test predicted A380 performance and will also be applicable to other Airbus aircraft development programmes.
VSMPO will carry on delivering flat and rolled titanium products to Airbus following the signing of the new long-term contract. A separate agreement will see the companies continuing a programme of joint work on the development of new titanium and aluminium alloys for use in aviation.
Source: Flight Daily News
