Beluga_XL

Airbus has awarded a contract to Ascent Aerospace to provide final assembly system for integration of Beluga XL oversize transport aircraft.

Ascent Integration European operations will manage work under the contract, which is expected to be completed by November 2017.

Scope of work includes design, integration, build, and installation of equipment and tooling to assemble the Beluga aircraft.

The assembly system will feature assembly jigs, work platforms, transport systems, laser metrology, and other tools.

Ascent Aerospace CEO Brian Williams said: "With only five aircraft to be assembled, we have to get this right the first time.

"Ascent Aerospace only recently acquired its European Operation, formerly Areva, in December 2014."

An AIP Aerospace company, Ascent Aerospace provides tooling systems, assembly and factory automation and integration, composite machining centres, and engineering services.

"With only five aircraft to be assembled, we have to get this right the first time."

The company operates offices and service centres in North America, Europe, and Asia through its Ascent Tooling, Ascent Integration & Automation and Ascent Engineering units.

Designed based on the A330, the Beluga XL will transport large, oversized aerostructure components from Airbus supplier facilities to final assembly line in Toulouse, France.

Last month, Airbus selected Stelia Aerospace, Aernnova, Deharde, P3 Voith Aerospace, and Aciturri to supply aero-structures for the Beluga aircraft.

The Beluga XL will feature increased dimensions of 1m-width and 6m-length, compared with the existing Belugas in operation, which will expand Airbus’ industrial air transport capability by 30%.

Image: Beluga XL oversize aircraft. Photo: courtesy of Fixion / Airbus SAS.