A350-1000

Airbus has awarded a contract to RTI International Metals to supply finished titanium structural parts for the new A350-1000 aircraft.

RTI will supply two final-machined structural titanium fuselage parts for the Airbus A350-1000.

The contract is said to be Airbus’ first procurement of RTI-manufactured components by the company’s vertically integrated supply chain.

RTI will provide titanium mill products, extruding, forming, and final machining, as well as manage external suppliers.

UK-based RTI Advanced Forming and RTI Extrusions Europe will carry out a portion of the extrusion, forming and machining works.

RTI vice-chair, president and CEO Dawne Hickton said: "This award is representative of the vertically integrated, value-added business opportunities available to RTI as a direct result of our commitment to the execution of our strategy to extend RTI’s reach downstream, where we believe a majority of the incremental commercial aerospace industry growth opportunities lie.

"The A350-1000 measures 74m from nose to tail, and is the longest-fuselage version of Airbus wide-body airliners."

"In addition, our selection for this work further confirms the credibility and breadth of capability of RTI’s vertically integrated supply chain, as well as our ability to build the strategic partnerships that are critical to successfully competing in today’s commercial aerospace industry."

Scheduled to enter service in 2017, the A350-1000 measures 74m from nose to tail, and is the longest-fuselage version of Airbus wide-body airliners.

Powered by Rolls-Royce’s Trent XWB engines, the aircraft is designed to accommodate 366 passengers and can be configured for up to 440 passengers. It will have a range of 7,900nm and is claimed to offer 25% greater fuel efficiency its competitor.

Image: A350-1000 is planned to enter service in 2017. Photo: courtesy of Fixion / Airbus SAS.