Aircraft
Airbus Mulls New Materials for A30X
The airplane designated to succeed the A320 (above) could retain an aluminum fuselage but friction-stir welding could make riveting obsolete. (Photo: Airbus)
The airplane designated to succeed the A320 (above) could retain an aluminum fuselage but friction-stir welding could make riveting obsolete. (Photo: Airbus)

EADS Innovation Works is reviewing options for the materials Airbus could use on an airplane to replace the A320neo in 2022. The competition between metal and composites remains intense, prompting EADS IW boss Yann Barbaux to advise against betting on a full-composite airplane, now designated the A30X.

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