Airbus's ambitious plans for the A350 XWB rely on suppliers matching the weight targets set by the manufacturer. Structures provider MT Aerospace is showing the progress it has made by exhibiting one of the fresh water tanks it has developed for the new widebody. It produces around 1,000 tanks for both fresh and waste water for Airbus each year. For the new model MT has developed a next-generation of conic tanks with a 20% weight reduction. Also on its booth, the Augsburg company is showing the Ariane 5 upper stage tank that demonstrates its knowledge of complex welding techniques such as friction stir welding on this high-performance aluminium alloy tank.
Source: Flight Daily News
