Premium AEROTEC has so far delivered more than 420 centre fuselage sections for the Eurofighter Typhoon, the European multi-role combat aircraft.
The fuselage centre section manufactured by Premium AEROTEC is the structural ‘core’ of Eurofighter. Roughly 6 m long, it comprises an integral structure of aluminium planked with a single, monolithic outer shell made of carbon fibre composite. Thanks to this construction, the component is not only lightweight but also capable of bearing heavy loads.
Premium AEROTEC is the only manufacturer of this fuselage component. The components produced at various company sites are integrated in Augsburg, Germany, to form the fuselage centre section, which is then delivered to Cassidian in Manching. From there, parts are supplied to the final assembly lines in Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.
Airbus A440M
Premium AEROTEC is responsible for around 70% of the fuselage structures of the A400M, making it one of the largest suppliers to this aircraft.
Premium AEROTEC is developing and manufacturing virtually the entire rear fuselage section, the centre fuselage section shells and the upper cargo door made of carbon fibre composite, as well as the metal pipe systems.
The upper cargo door made of carbon fibre composite measures 7 m by 4 m and is subject to extreme loads during flight. It is manufactured using the infusion based Vacuum Assisted Process (VAP®). In this process, the multiaxial carbon composite laminates are bonded to create components with complex geometries.
“Whereas we have been delivering components for three aircraft per year up to now, starting in November 2012 we will increase the production rate to one aircraft per month," reports Premium AEROTEC CEO Kai Horten.
“Our long-standing, successful participation in the Eurofighter programme has not only enabled us to demonstrate our competence in this area, but has also laid the foundation for our important role in the development and manufacture of the A400M military transport aircraft,” says Horten.
“The technological experience that we gain from our commercial and military aircraft programmes helps us to consolidate our position with regard to the global competition.”
Premium AEROTEC develops and manufactures metal and carbon composite aerostructures and associated equipment and production systems. The company has production plants in Germany and Romania.
