Saab lands Airbus contract for A350-1000 flap support structures

Defence and security company Saab (STO:SAABB) has struck a deal with Airbus to become a supplier for the A350-1000 for the duration of the programme, covering the design, development and manufacturing of the flap support structures for the A350-1000.

According to the news release on the Business Wire, the order value of the deal amounts to approximately USD$ 150 million based on the current A350-1000 order backlog.

The deal represents Saab’s first major score with Airbus aircraft and puts the company in a position to be a key-player in this fast-growing aviation programme.

“This marks a break-through on yet another Airbus platform confirming our expertise and competitiveness as a global actor on the commercial aviation market. With this contract we further cement Saab as an important and long-term partner to Airbus and we look forward to working with Airbus on the game-changing A350-1000 programme,” says Lars Jensen, head of Saab’s business unit Aerostructures.

Lap support structures link the landing flaps to the wing trailing-edge structure and allow the deployment of the flaps during the take-off and landing phases.

Saab will work on the design, development, stress analysis and manufacture of the flap support structures, as well as on the development and procurement of the production tools.  The complex workload requires handling of metallic and composites content, as well as high degree of assembly work.

The development and manufacturing programme will take place at the company’s Aerostructures facility in Linköping, Sweden, with first delivery scheduled to take place in 2015.

The development and production of complex airframe assemblies for the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers, including Airbus and Boeing is handled by about 500 Saap employees. The company also supplies the mid and outer wing leading-edge for the Airbus A380 plus ailerons and doors for other Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

Saab is a globally recognized manufacturer of world-class single-source aircraft parts. The company’s portfolio includes services and solutions ranging from military to civil security. Saab operates on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new technology to stay competitive and satisfy its customers’ demands.