Exelis has been chosen by Airbus to supply composite floor beam struts for the A380 aircraft. The multimillion dollar contract runs through 2023 and marks the first award on the recently announced Exelis STaR (Struts, Tubes and Rods) product line.
The company will use its patented manufacturing technology recently licensed from Bodair to create the composite floor beam struts, which connect the passenger cabin floor to the aircraft fuselage. The unique design provides high strength-to-weight ratio vs. traditional metallics and exceeds other composite production methods in weight savings.
Mike Blair, vice president and general manager of Exelis Aerostructures said;
Expanding our composite solutions to include high-performance, light-weight structural hardware is an important aspect in the growth strategy of our business and allows us to extend our international reach. Airbus is an important customer, and we look forward to providing solutions that will meet their needs today and into the future.”
Exelis will produce the STaR products at its composite design and manufacturing center in Salt Lake City with deliveries to begin in 2015.