Airbus reveals the contours of the successor of the A320

But gestation promises to be long: it will come into service during the. However, second half of the 2030s. In addition. Furthermore, The challenge is twofold: it is a question of assembling different technological bricks being matured to develop a device on the most lucrative segment of air transport. In addition, that of short and medium-haul. Similarly, Airbus has not launched a monocourloir for forty years …

What will the replacement for the A320 look like? Similarly, It is the motorization that will largely guide its look. Moreover, Either Airbus will opt for engines based on current technologies. Moreover. Additionally, Moreover, without much consequence on the general appearance of the plane, or it is more likely, it will select the unlitée engine, a demonstrator of which is being developed at CFM International (joint company airbus reveals contours successor a320 new between Safran and Ge Aerospace). Similarly, This disruptive propulsive system. Similarly. Therefore, airbus reveals contours successor a320 which leaves the apparent propellers, was presented in 2021: it could be located under the wings or at the back of the device. Consequently, And promises a reduction in fuel consumption of around 20 %.

&#13. Moreover. Meanwhile, “The results of our trials are extremely encouraging, not only because they are very good in terms of performance and validation of the reduction of noise pollution, but also because they confirm the digital simulations that we have carried out”, explained Mohamed Ali, the director of technology and operations at Ge Aerospace. In addition, Bushy tests were conducted in France and the Netherlands to experience the integration of such an engine. Therefore, A model at scale 1 will be tested on the ground on a group site in Ohio in 2026. in flight on an airbus reveals contours successor a320 new experimental A380 before the end of the decade.

Beyond the engine. the external profile of the device. Airbus airbus reveals contours successor a320 puts on a good dose of energy hybridization, just to reduce the use of kerosene. Its objective is to develop an airplane capable of consuming 100 % of sustainable aviation fuel, compared to 50 % today. Electric hybridization will be accentuated: Airbus is already betting to use solid batteries. the performance of which promises to be far superior to current batteries based on liquid electrolytes. “For the moment. the maturity of solid batteries is very low. but it is the only ones that are able to meet a minimum of our needs for the future generation of Monocourloir”, said Karim Mokaddem, the R&T manager of commercial aircraft. Electrification should help reduce fuel consumption for the successor to the A320.

A common platform

This future device airbus reveals contours successor a320 new could also stand out for much more aerodynamics. Especially at the wings. Airbus plans to use its internal project called Wing of Tomorrow. airbus reveals contours successor a320 “The new generation wings are longer. more thin and will be made from composite materials, described Sue Partridge, the manager of this project. They will have to give us the strength we need to lift the plane in the air. while representing as little mass possible. »» These wings – longer than those of the current A320 – will have to reduce the trail of the device. have the capacity to adapt according to the flight conditions, via mobile elements. More bulky, they can fall back to the ground. Another challenge: to facilitate their industrialization, despite their increased complexity.

This next generation of monocourloir could also be distinguished by a difference in size: the use of thermoplastic composite. materials in place of airbus reveals contours successor a320 new the thermosetting composites used today. They could partly be made up of fibers from biomass. This would notably allow you to do without autoclaves. therefore produce higher rates. airbus reveals contours successor a320 while facilitating the recycling of future plane coins, thanks to the reversibility of the processes.

Invisible but strategic. another technological choice is a small revolution: that of a platform common to the different versions of the future plane to facilitate the deployment of hybridization. automated systems and connectivity. “It will be the brain of the device”, summarizes Karim Mokkadem. Predictive maintenance, electrification, optimization of energy management, piloting assistance … enough to facilitate updates throughout the flight and lifespan of the device. The new generation monocourloir points the tip of its nose.

&#13. The hydrogen plane still on the track

The hydrogen plane project. Zeroe, is offset airbus reveals contours successor a320 new but not put in the closet, provides Airbus. Admittedly, the aircraft should not go into service before 2040, at best, while the industrialist initially aimed at 2035. But Guillaume Faury. his CEO. affirms: “I airbus reveals contours successor a320 am convinced that hydrogen has a role to play, that it is an energy of the future. »» The five years of work would have made it possible to prove the feasibility of such a machine. Moreover. the aircraft manufacturer refined its concept. presented in March a device project of 100 places equipped with four electric motors of 2 MW each – against 6 MW previously -, supplied by as many fuel cells.

But for the Airbus boss, it is urgent to wait. “For the time being. the regulatory framework is not advanced enough and the production of green hydrogen is not on a scale. We would risk making a airbus reveals contours successor a320 new hydrogen harmony. to offer a solution that would not be viable from a commercial point of view. »» Airbus nevertheless continues its work and plans to test in 2027 a full ground test bench.

airbus reveals contours successor a320

You read an article in number 3742 of the New factory – May 2025
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