Airbus unveils the all new A400m plane, with innovative carbon fibre wings, researched and manufactured in the UK.
Despite complex manufacturing issues, the A400m will have it’s wings predominantly manufactured from carbon fibre.
Dave Phipps (head of Airbus’ carbon fibre research department at Filton) claims that this revolutionary technology has great environmental benefits, cutting fuel consumption by 20%.
This is achieved by making the wings significantly lighter than traditional methods, retaining the same rigidity and safety attributed to metal construction wings.
The new aircraft is set to replace the existing fleet of C-130 Hercules that currently serve daily in Afghanistan and Iraq.
