Airbus Tests Large Wingspan for Its Future Short-Haul Aircraft
Airbus has initiated a flight test campaign to assess the performance of large wingspan wings for its future short-haul range. Over three years, the aircraft manufacturer will install wing extensions on an A321neo to test different wing geometries under real flight conditions.
A Three-Year Campaign to Validate the Wings of Tomorrow
The Wing of Tomorrow program enters a decisive phase with the launch of flight tests. Airbus will design, build, and test full-scale wing extensions that will be installed on an A321neo. These extensions, measuring several meters, will mimic a foldable wing in a fully deployed position during test flights. They will be equipped with measuring instruments to capture flight behavior and assess the impact of a larger wingspan on the aircraft's maneuverability.
Sue Partridge, head of the Wing of Tomorrow program, stated that "the wing is one of the biggest levers for improving energy efficiency" and that this campaign will allow them to "safely explore the benefits of longer wings".
Over Twelve Years of Aerodynamic Development
Airbus relies on advanced digital modeling and wind tunnel tests to finalize designs before flight testing. The Wing of Tomorrow program, launched in 2014, focuses on creating longer, lighter, and more streamlined wings to maximize aerodynamic efficiency and reduce fuel consumption. The manufacturer has already built three 17-meter wing demonstrators (ground tests) and explored over 100 manufacturing and assembly technologies.
The extensions will be assembled at Airbus's Wing Technology Development Centre in the UK and subjected to flight tests in Toulouse. Since 2014, the program has received £227 million in funding from the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) program, a partnership between the ATI, the Department for Business and Trade, and Innovate UK aimed at maintaining the UK's position as a leader in aerospace technology.
