A350_XWB

Airbus has awarded a contract to Ducommun to provide titanium components for the A350 XWB aircraft assemblies, which will be installed on the aft fuselage of the aircraft.

Ducommun produces titanium components at its operations centre in Coxsackie, New York, US.

The facility is said to provide technology for shaping titanium, steel and other hard metals for the aerospace segment.

Ducommun chairman Anthony Reardon said: "This new contract establishes the baseline for Ducommun to continue expanding its support of Airbus in North America.

"We are focused on growing our relationship with this key original equipment manufacturer by providing value-added structural solutions for the innovative Airbus technology being implemented to make aircraft stronger, lighter, and more energy efficient."

The company said it already serves the A350 XWB programme as part of a subcontract from Airbus.

"The aircraft is claimed to offer 25% in fuel efficiency, compared to other current generation aircraft."

Ducommun supplies structural components for A320 and A330 aircraft, and aluminium fuselage skins for the A321 airliners.

The A350 XWB is mid-size long range aircraft from Airbus’s widebody family, and the company received 780 orders from 40 customers, as of January 2015.

The aircraft is claimed to offer 25% in fuel efficiency, compared to other current generation aircraft.

Ducommun offers engineering and manufacturing services, including components and assemblies for commercial aircraft and military and space vehicles to the aerospace, defence, and other industries.

The company operates through Ducommun AeroStructures and Ducommun LaBarge Technologies.

Image: Ducommun will provide titanium components for the A350 XWB aircraft assemblies. Photo: courtesy of DOUMENJOU Alexandre, MasterFilms.