The A350 XWB programme reached another key milestone with the completion of a second large test fuselage section, which incorporates many of the manufacturing advances planned for the production of this next-generation Airbus jetliner.
With a length of 18 metres and a diameter of more than six metres, the demonstrator closely reflects the A350 XWB fuselage’s final design. This section was used to develop and validate the complete process chain – from the manufacture of individual panels, frames and clips, to shell assembly, section assembly and the production of circumferential joints.
The fuselage demonstrator was developed with the involvement of 11 Airbus plants in Germany, France and Spain. While this unit was built in three sections, the actual A350 XWB will feature continuous fuselage composite panels of 16-18 metres in length.
