Airbus completes first A350 structure

Airbus said Friday it has manufactured an all-composite A350 center wing-box panel, the first structure on the next-generation aircraft it has completed and the largest "monobloc" composite panel it has produced. The panel, made entirely of carbon and with a surface area of 36 sq. m., was built in Airbus's Nantes plant, which is responsible for manufacturing the A350's center wing box and keel beam. According to the manufacturer, 53% of the aircraft's weight will be composite-based. A350 ...