Aircraft
Rolls Helps Airbus Stretch Range and Payload
Airbus is developing an enhanced A350-1000 variant with “outstanding [increased] payload and long[er] range.

With engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce, Airbus is developing an enhanced A350-1000 variant with “outstanding [increased] payload and long[er] range, the best economics and 25-percent lower fuel burn and carbon dioxide emissions than [the Boeing 777-300ER].”

Changes from earlier concepts of the twin-aisle twinjet include work on the outer wing and landing gear. The move comes as Boeing addresses “777-8X and -9X” improvements in studies that likely include a composites wing, using 787 technology and a more-efficient General Electric powerplant. It is also considering the schedule for proposed 787-10 and -10X variants to compete against other A350 models.