Aerospace

Rising fuel costs, environmental regulations and an increase in airline traffic have helped drive the increasing use of composite materials in the aerospace industry. Composites are used in military, business and commercial aircraft of all sizes, including spacecraft.

Airbus BelugaXL Completes Maiden Flight

Last week, the first of five Airbus BelugaXL aircraft to fly landed at Toulouse-Blagnac, France after successfully completing its first flight lasting four hours and 11 minutes. The BelugaXL program was...

First Boeing 777X Test Aircraft Reach Low-Rate Initial Production Line

Last week, Boeing released images of the first two Boeing 777X test aircraft on the final assembly line at its plant, in Everett, Wash. Engineers have attached the first fuselage barrels for the first two...

Boeing Announces $4.75 Billion Joint Venture with Embraer

Last week, Boeing and Embraer announced they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a strategic partnership that positions both companies to accelerate growth in global aerospace...

Boeing Receives FAA Approval for Folding Composite Wingtips for 777X Family

On May 18, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved the design for Boeing's folding CFRP wingtips that will be incorporated the company two 777X aircraft variants, the 777-8 and 777-9. The...

Airbus Ultra Long Range A350 XWB Completes First Flight

The Ultra Long Range version of the A350 XWB, known as the MSN 216, successfully completed its first flight last week. According to Airbus, this version of the aircraft will be able to fly further than any...

SpaceX Shows off New Composite Tooling for BFR Rocket

Last week, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk revealed a photo of the main-body construction tool for the company BFR — the Big Falcon Rocket. The tool is analogous to the turning mandrel tool that Boeing uses as a rack...