Airbus, The first set of South African-manufactured aircraft parts for the Airbus A400M military transport aircraft were delivered to Germany yesterday for incorporation into the fuselage of the first aircraft.
Denel Aviation of Kempton Park, Johannesburg, completed the first set of fuselage top shells (roof sections) last week. Denel is a major industrial partner in the multi-national A400M programme, which South Africa joined last year.
The 15-year top-shell manufacturing contract is worth EUR 20million (about R160 million) and currently accounts for between 80,000 and 90,000 man-hours annually. It follows an earlier contract for the design of the top-shells. Each of the 6sq/m top-shells weighs about 100kg and is made from advanced aluminium alloy formed using special 5- and 3-axis machines. As part of the infrastructure for the A400M work Denel has invested in new long-bed machines and a special treatment facility. The top-shells are a vital part of the
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