Premium AEROTEC delivers first rear center tank for the A321XLR to Airbus

The additional fuel volume of the Rear Center Tank (RCT) allows the A321XLR to achieve its significantly increased range of up to 8,700 kilometres. The permanently installed tank in the rear fuselage section of the aircraft, below the floor, makes maximum use of the existing structure and the entire fuselage cross- section of the cargo hold. The integration of the tank into sections 15 and 17 requires a unique manufacturing concept, that includes both structural assembly to the highest tolerance requirements and the installation of system components such as pipes, wiring, valves and pumps. In the Major Component Assembly at Airbus in Hamburg, the two separate modules of the tank are joined together via a very close-tolerance flange system.

In the construction of the rear center tank for the A321XLR, Premium AEROTEC benefits not only from its fundamental expertise in aircraft structure construction, but also from its extensive experience in the production of the Eurofighter fuselage center section, which is also produced in Augsburg and contains an integral tank.

"With the handover of the first rear center tank today, we are celebrating a significant milestone in the A321XLR programme - thanks to a great performance by the entire team and the excellent cooperation with our customer Airbus," said Thomas Ehm, CEO of Premium AEROTEC, during a virtual handover ceremony in front of employees and customer representatives. "Today has once again proven that we are well prepared for the coming stages of this new aircraft programme".

The A321XLR is the first time that the maximum take-off weight of an A320 Family aircraft has risen above 100 tons. To achieve this, statically, the aircraft's structure and landing gear have to be strengthened. The A321XLR also gets stronger brakes and new, one-piece landing flaps on the inside of the wings. In addition to a greater range, this innovative aircraft will also consume about 30 per cent less fuel compared to previous generations of aircraft.

In addition to the RCT, Premium AEROTEC is also responsible for the modifications as well as for the construction of the side shells of section 17, into which the RCT will later be inserted as a segment. Thus, Premium AEROTEC is also responsible for all reinforcements of the structural areas of sections 15, 17 and 19, the keel beam as well as the floor cross beams.

Premium AEROTEC is a global player in the aviation industry. Its core business is the development and production of aerostructures made of metal and carbon fibre composites. The company has sites in Augsburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Nordenham and Varel in Germany and in Braşov, Romania. Premium AEROTEC employs a total of around 8,000 people. Further information is available at www.premium-aerotec.com.