A materialistic industry

Deciding which material is best suited to construct a part or plane is one of the most complex issues an aerospace engineer faces.

According to GKN Aerospace, the use of carbon-fiber wing spars for the Airbus A400M will be the first application of carbon composite technology for primary structures on a large transport airplane wing. The company, which will be designing and developing the spars, expects to take full advantage of recent developments in automated tape laying technology together with a new manufacturing approach that will provide significant program and cost benefits.

The process is the latest example of engineers and designers achieving innovative solutions to meet the tough challenges invariably attached to modern aerospace programs. But the aerospace industry has always been based on challenge. Initially, it was the challenge of flight itself: the ability to stay airborne.