FUSCOMP program gets go-ahead
- Composite fuselage R&D program selected by French Government for Aerospace Valley competitiveness cluster
- A €9 million budget over four years
Tarbes, 02 April 2007
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The French Government has announced the selection of the FUSCOMP R&D program proposed by EADS Socata for the Aerospace Valley, aerospace competitiveness cluster in South-West France. This decision opens the way to public funding (government and local authorities) of 68% of the €9.3 million for the program. The remaining 32% will be provided by a private-sector partnership lead by EADS Socata.
FUSCOMP (FUSelage COMPosite) is an R&D–focus program has been initiated and coordinated by EADS Socata for the the manufacture of a composite fuselage demonstrator . This prototype, which takes the TBM 850 fuselage design as its basis, will be developed using the vacuum infusion process and materials qualified or proven in the aeronautical industry. As the program will extend over four years period it is envisaged that new materials associated with the infusion process could be studied.
Vacuum infusion, used in the manufacture of large-scale composite parts such as wind turbine blades and in the shipbuilding industry, is rising interest within the aerospace industry. This process is based on using vacuum-pressure to inject liquid resin, into a dry fiber (glass, carbon or aramid fiber) in a closed mould. The vacuum infusion is an alternative to the usual current process for high-quality parts manufacture which uses preimpregnated fabrics and autoclave polymerization. Adoption of the vacuum infusion process combined with new materials aims to reduce the production cycles, manufacturing and material’s costs and to, the use of autoclaves. It is planned to use this technology not only for future EADS Socata aircraft, but also for sub-assemblies for the next generation of airliners such as the A350 or the future NSR as well as regional airliners, business aircraft and helicopters.
“We are proud that our program has been selected by the French government and we would like to thank the local authorities for their support and understanding of the challenges involved. With FUSCOMP we are laying the ground for the future of our company and the industry in Tarbes. This program will enable us to acquire expertise in these state-of-the-art technologies which in the long term will allow us to produce even lighter structures more quickly and cost-effectively resulting in higher-performance aircraft,” commented Stéphane Mayer, chairman and CEO of EADS Socata.
As FUSCOMP leader, EADS Socata is teaming up with the following partners:
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Sicomin, for the development of new materials
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Aerovac, for the development of innovative solutions relating to the implementation of the vacuum infusion process
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the ENIT, engineering institute and its research facility for engineers training and basic research on materials and structures,
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the College Jean Dupuy (LJD) of Tarbes, for the process development and training methods of operators and technicians,
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the university Paul Sabatier through the IUT of Tarbes, for its research laboratory on composite material and operators training.
EADS Socata is one of the world’s leading general aviation manufacturers, with more than 17,000 aircraft built since its creation as Morane-Saulnier in 1911. Current products include the TBM family of high-speed turboprops, TB GT piston aircraft, aerostructures for Airbus civil airliners, the A400M military transporter, Dassault Falcon jets, Eurocopter helicopters and Embraer regional jets. EADS Socata is expanding its customer service activities, to support its growing fleet of TBM and offer its light aviation expertise for aircraft below 5.7 tons through avionics modernization, maintenance, repair and overall package offers. Headquartered in Tarbes, France, with North American operations in Pembroke Pines, Florida, EADS Socata is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS – a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2006, EADS generated revenues of € 39.4 billion and employs a workforce of about 116,800.
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