Airtificial strengthens its position in Defense
- The company has secured orders with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) to develop the aerospace engineering, design and manufacture of 31 flight sticks for two Turkish Air Force military aircraft: the HÜRJET Next Generation Jet Trainer and the latest combat fighter model. Production of these components will be take place at the Aerospace & Defense plant in Sevilla, one of Europe’s three major aerospace hubs.
- Airtificial has been developing flight sticks for over 15 years, participating in various aeronautical programs and for different purposes, from flight control to in-flight refueling systems. This proprietary know-how in the complex aerospace sector positions its as one of the few companies wroldwide, on par with defense giants like BAE Systems, capable of executing the entire engineering, design, and manufacturing process of these sticks. Additionally, in the defense aviation sector, the company also manufactures flight sticks for Airbus, used to operate the refueling boom of the world-leading tanker aircraft, the A330MRTT.
Madrid, October 30, 2024. Airtificial rides tailwinds in the Defense sector. The company has expanded its order portfolio with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) for the full production of 31 flight sticks for two types of Turkish military aircraft: the HÜRJET Next Generation Jet Trainer, a jet for military training and light combat, and the latest fighter jet model. This brings Airtificial’s total to over a hundred flight sticks manufactured for TAI over the past three years. Through its Aerospace & Defense (A&D) unit, Airtificial boasts over 15 years of experience in the complete production cycle of flight sticks, standing out as one of the few companies worldwide capable of engineering these complex industrial processes.
These new orders, valued at €2.5 million, mark the third contract Airtificial Group has signed with the Turkish public company since the start of their commercial relationship in 2020, when they agreed to several defense contracts. In April of this year, they signed a €4.8 million agreement to produce 46 flight sticks and further develop the technological, electronic, and mechanical capabilities of these control arms. Previously, in February 2023, the two entities agreed to a €4.6 million contract for developing, engineering systems, and manufacturing a dozen flight sticks for Turkey’s fifth-generation fighter jet.
These flight control sticks are being produced at Airtificial’s Seville plant in Aerópolis, Spain’s only aerospace technology park. Aerópolis is also one of Europe’s three major aerospace hubs, along with Toulouse (France) and Hamburg (Germany).
With this latest order from TAI, Airtificial reinforces its position as a global aerospace technology supplier. Its extensive 15-year expertise has enabled its engineers and experts to develop proprietary know-how that allows the company to take on large, high-value projects in the industry.
Flight sticks for Airbus tanker aircraft
In addition to working with TAI, Airtificial A&D has been manufacturing flight sticks for another military aircraft, the A330MRT, the world’s leading military tanker. For this program, Airtificial has developed and industrialized two different models of flight sticks, including a Next-Generation version with significantly advanced mechanical features. These Airtificial sticks are used to operate the refueling boom or hose in mid-flight, a maneuver that requires high technical precision.
HÜRJET’s opportunity in the Spanish Market
Developing flight control sticks for the HÜRJET light combat and training aircraft opens a valuable opportunity for Airtificial in the Spanish aeronautics market. According to industry sources, the Spanish Air Force is currently evaluating several options to replace its F-5M fleet, used in advanced pilot training. Among the options considered is the HÜRJET, which could potentially enter the Spanish market as part of a deal to exchange 24 of these aircraft for six A400M transport aircraft, manufactured by Airbus in Spain. Airtificial Group also manufactures structural parts for this model.
Strategic global supplier of composite parts for the Defense sector
Airtificial is also increasing the volume of parts, known as “references” in the sector, that it manufactures for military aircraft. Currently, Airtificial A&D designs and manufactures over 100 references annually for the A440M at its Jerez plant, along with parts for Airbus C295 cargo aircraft.
Guillermo Fernández de Peñaranda, CEO of Airtificial Group, states, “The new TAI order reaffirms their trust in our expertise and technological capacity.” He adds, “We are a leading provider of cutting-edge aerospace technology, both with our flight sticks and our ability to produce composite parts that replace metal, reducing aircraft weight.” Fernández de Peñaranda concludes, “Airtificial has a promising path ahead, as its activity is supported and driven by increasingly ‘eco-friendly’ legislation promoting the global aerospace industry’s transition toward lighter, more environmentally friendly materials that contribute to reducing emissions. Aircraft manufacturers are adapting to this legislation by replacing metal components with composite parts produced by the company.”
About Airtificial
Airtificial offers global and innovative design and manufacturing solutions for the automotive, aeronautics, infrastructure and other industrial sectors, integrating advanced technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence that together with human interaction contribute to a more sustainable development. Listed on the Continuous Market, it has an operational presence in fourteen countries in the main markets of Europe, America and Asia; and contributes to the digital transformation and the automation and optimization of its customers’ processes in the industrial field through sustainable and competitive growth.
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Telephone: +34 91 576 52 50 / +34 696 249 078
