Mubadala unit awarded $1bn Airbus contracts

Farnborough / WAM

Strata Manufacturing, the advanced composite aero-structures manufacturing company wholly owned by Mubadala Development Company, announced that it has been awarded two contracts to manufacture additional composite components and completed major assemblies for Airbus. The combined deals, valued at more than US$1 billion, will see Strata become a source for Airbus A320 Horizontal Tail Plane (HTP) and A350-900 Inboard Flaps (IBF) in Abu Dhabi. The news was unveiled at the 50th edition of the international Farnborough Airshow, held in the UK.
Badr Al Olama, Chief Executive Officer of Strata, said, “We are proud of our longstanding partnership with Airbus, and are privileged to be manufacturing components on Airbus’ A330, A350 and A380 aircrafts. Looking ahead, and building on our latest contracts with Airbus signed today, we are confident in our ability to continue strengthening our competiveness, growing our national workforce and playing a key role in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain’s positioning as a global aerospace hub.”
As part of the contract, Strata will manufacture Airbus A320 Horizontal Tail Plane (HTP). Strata will utilise cutting-edge automation and high rate production technology to ensure that delivery of the Horizontal Tail Plane is in line with the awarded share of the demand for the Airbus A320 family and the quality standards expected by Airbus.
The HTP is a primary part of the aero-structure that is located on the empennage of the aircraft. The purpose of the HTP is to provide stability and control.
Additionally, Strata will manufacture Inboard Flaps (IBF) for the Airbus A350-900 wings that will extend over the life of Airbus’ most technologically advanced aircraft to date. Inboard Flaps are mounted on the trailing edge of the wing to increase the surface of the wing during takeoff and landing, and improve stability during flight. Mimicking nature, the A350 XWB wings are fitted with unique high-lift devices adapting the wing shape during the flight for maximum aerodynamic efficiency.
The A350-900 is built with 53 percent of light composite materials to help reduce fuel consumption and operating costs, improve passenger comfort and lower the environmental impact of air travel.
Strata will manufacture composite components, perform assembly of the components and manage its supply chain from its world-class facility in the Nibras Al Ain Aerospace Park, where it is expanding its capabilities to meet the growing demands of world-leading aircraft manufacturers.
From its inception in 2009, Strata has developed the capabilities to manufacture the latest generation aircraft parts to meet industry demands and is committed to play an integral role in the global aerospace industry that will contribute to growing a knowledge-based competitive economy in Abu Dhabi.

Rolls-Royce, Mubadala pact
in Abu Dhabi aerospace hub

Abu Dhabi / WAM

Rolls-Royce and Mubadala Development Company, the Abu Dhabi-based investment and development organisation, have announced further details of a new Approved Maintenance Centre (AMC) in the Emirate and confirmed plans for a manufacturing facility that will produce aero engine components.
Rolls-Royce is committed to developing a competitive, capable and flexible Trent Service Network to support the growing number of Trent engines that will enter service as Rolls-Royce increases its installed base to more than 50 per cent of the widebody passenger market. This will be the second AMC in which Rolls-Royce does not hold an equity stake. The first, Delta TechOps, was announced in October 2015.
Mubadala will create a purpose-built facility that will carry out work on the Trent XWB, the world’s most efficient aero engine that powers the Airbus A350 XWB. The Middle East region is forecast to have one of the world’s largest concentrations of Trent XWB engines with more than 20 per cent of the 1,600 sold to date, due to be operated by airlines in the region, including the 62 A350s to be operated by Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways.
Rolls-Royce is also creating a world-class, competitive global supply chain within growth regions and key strategic markets and which gives the flexibility required as Rolls-Royce increases engine production. To support those developments, Mubadala will open a new manufacturing center that will deliver parts for the Trent engine family, including the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB. This new manufacturing center will complement the existing disc manufacturing investment that Rolls-Royce has previously made in Washington, UK and Crosspointe, US.
The announcement, made at the Farnborough Airshow, follows the Strategic Framework Agreement signed at the Dubai Airshow in November 2013 to establish the Emirate of Abu Dhabi as a key member of Rolls-Royce’s global network for maintenance and manufacturing.
Homaid Al Shimmari, Mubadala, Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace & Engineering Services, said, “The creation of a new Approved Maintenance Centre and an engine component manufacturing facility are both key milestones in the creation of a leading global aerospace hub in Abu Dhabi, further driving economic diversification.”
Eric Schulz, Rolls-Royce, President – Civil Aerospace, said, “We’re pleased to work with Mubadala as it creates a global aerospace hub in Abu Dhabi. The creation of a new Trent XWB Approved Maintenance Center, alongside manufacturing capability in the UAE, further demonstrates our commitment to this region, which is now so critical to the growth of our business.”
The AMC will service up to 150 engines a year in a new facility located at the Nibras Al Ain Aerospace Park, which is expected to be operational in 2021. The AMC agreement will be finalised in the second half of 2016, and construction of the AMC facility is expected to begin as early as 2017. .
The manufacturing center at the same site will produce discs for the Trent XWB, with capability to make similar parts for other Trent engine types. It is expected to start operations in 2018. Rolls-Royce and Mubadala have also reached agreements to enter into a number of manufacturing development projects to support Mubadala’s goal to become a Tier 1 aerospace industry supplier.