Airbus is preparing for the assembly phase of the first A321XLR. Industrialization and production of parts for the first A321XLR are underway, both in Airbus hangars and at its suppliers, paving the way for the assembly of major components of the first front, center, rear and wing fuselage sections, which will begin in 2021. .
While all major sections of the A321XLR contain significant design changes from the current A321neo / A321LR core aircraft, the major component assembly, with extensive design and manufacturing differences, is the center and rear fuselage.
This is mainly due to the fuel tank located on the center fuselage and the associated fuel management systems - which are essential for the aircraft's eXtra Long Range performance capability, while maintaining the basic operational functionality of the A321neo aircraft.
Airbus has begun work on the components of the first A321XLR
Overall, the production cycle of the center and rear fuselage is progressing. In mid-November 2020, in Nantes, Airbus began manufacturing the central wing box. Once built, this major component will be delivered this year to Hamburg, where it will be integrated and assembled in the rear fuselage section.
Meanwhile, Premium Aerotec Group in Augsburg Germany is finalizing the parts for the rear tank and preparing the parts and the warehouse for its assembly. At the other locations of the Aerotec Premium Group in Nordenham and Varel, various large fuselage components are in production.
Hamburg's own factory, which will house the assembly of major components for the rear fuselage equipped with the new central tank, is preparing the necessary jigs and tools in a new dedicated pilot production line in the "Hangar 260".
This operation is deliberately decoupled from the rest of the A320 line, so that, starting next year, this pilot line will allow a gradual increase of the new rear fuselage of the A321XLR - without affecting the existing production operations at the Airbus base in Hamburg.
Regarding the front section of the A321XLR aircraft fuselage, parts production is underway at Stelia Aerospace. When these parts are completed, they will be transported to Saint-Nazaire for the assembly stage of the major components of the fuselage.
Reconfigure the flaps for the A321XLR
Another key structure for assembling major components is the aircraft wing set, for which the British team in Broughton is focusing on the new flap configuration for the A321XLR. To this end, the tests are ongoing, carried out together with the partners Spirit AeroSystems from Malaysia (flap inboard) and FACC from Austria (flap outboard).
Conventional fixed wing components take shape in Broughton and the associated supply chain. The landing gear components (Safran, Collins and Triumph), the fuel and inerting systems (Collins and Parker Aerospace), as well as the engine poles (at the dedicated Airbus production plant in St. Eloi, Toulouse) are also in production. ).
Cab and cargo systems are currently in the testing phase to validate the A321XLR's extra-long-range passenger comfort features.
Through exceptional international collaboration, the Airbus A321XLR is now in operation.