The supplier of commercial airplane assemblies and components, has shipped the first production composite center fuselage panels for the Airbus A350 XWB program out of its Kinston, N.C., facility. The Section 15 fuselage panels are being sent to Saint-Nazaire, France, where final upper shell assembly will occur.
"Our North Carolina team has worked hard to achieve this important milestone," said Dan Wheeler, vice president-general manager, North Carolina business unit. "With help from our customer, we have successfully integrated with Airbus methods, tools, processes and systems. Shipment of these composite fuselage panels represents a significant achievement for Spirit employees as we work with Airbus to meet all their requirements and delivery schedules for the pre-final assembly phase."
Spirit won a contract with Airbus in May 2008 to design and produce the A350 XWB's composite center fuselage section. Spirit also designs and builds the spar and fixed leading edge for the A350 XWB.
About Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
Based in Wichita, Kan., Spirit AeroSystems is the world's largest independent supplier of commercial airplane assemblies and components. In addition to its Kansas facility, Spirit has locations in Tulsa and McAlester, Okla.; Kinston, N.C.; Prestwick, Scotland; Preston, England; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and is developing a new manufacturing facility in Saint-Nazaire, France. In the U.S., Spirit's core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components. Additionally, Spirit provides aftermarket customer support services, including spare parts, maintenance/repair/overhaul, and fleet support services in North America, Europe and Asia. Spirit Europe produces wing components for a host of customers, including Airbus. |
