Aircraft

A three-year £100 million ($200 million) Next Generation Composite Wing (NGCW) research programme is being proposed by Airbus UK, which would like to see the project launched later this year.

NGCW is being submitted to the UK Department of Trade & Industry technology programme's spring competition for support. Half the funds would come from Airbus and its industrial partners, a quarter from the DTI and the rest from participating UK regional development agencies. "Likely partners will include Bombardier and Messier-Dowty," says Airbus UK integrated wing programme leader Michael Smith.

NGCW has three main elements: wing optimisation integrated installation of systems and equipment in the wing and high-volume low-cost manufacture. It would focus on next-generation short-range aircraft and the challenges of the expected high ramp rates and manufacturing volumes.

Airbus is already involved in the UK's £38 million Integrated Wing project, which ends in 2009.