WILETE

Airbus is running a strategic programme called ‘Wing of the Future’ as part of the UK Aerospace Technology Institute funding initiative. The overall aim is to secure a robust set of innovative technologies at the integrated wing-level and an industrial capability to deploy those concepts in order to ensure Airbus’ programme needs related to wing can be satisfied over the next twenty years.
Wing Integrated Leading Edge and Trailing Edge (WILETE) is a key project within the Wing of the Future Programme and will focus on the development of leading and trailing edge structure component and assembly technologies to support high volume and low cost composite wing manufacture, assembly and equipping. In conjunction with other projects within the Wing of the Future collaborative framework, WILETE will be organised in three key phases, each of two years duration.
WILETE includes a number of critical wing technology streams for Airbus including integration of LE and TE structures with the wing box structure, and integration of electrical systems including ice protection and flight controls. The project is supported by a selection of strategic and associate partners from respected research and industrial fields.