Airtificial to work on the European fighter jet
- Airtificial closes its third contract with ITP Aero, in this case for the design and development of high-tech electronic equipment within the framework of the FCAS programme for the future European fighter aircraft.
- Airtificial increases its product portfolio for the aeronautical defense sector, where it has stood out for more than 20 years in the development of flight control sticks, flight engineering systems, as well as for the manufacture of composite parts for military aircrafts.
Airtificial strengthens its position in the military aeronautics sector. The Aerospace & Defense division has signed an agreement with the Spanish aircraft engine manufacturer ITP Aero for the design and development of high-tech electronic system equipment for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme, developed by Spain, France, and Germany. This is the third contract that Airtificial has signed with ITP Aero, and the first within this defense programme. Airtificial stands out for its know-how and capabilities in the civil and defense aeronautical sector, in which it develops flight control sticks and flight systems for military aircraft from several countries, as well as structural components to reduce the weight of military aircraft such as the Airbus A400, the 330MRTT or the C295, among others.
This new agreement between Airtificial and ITP Aero involves the custom design and development of a high-tech electronic equipment for the future European fighter. This is a ‘pilot’ project, which may lead to new contracts within the European FCAS programme. This European defense programme is currently still in the early stages of development and is expected to continue to evolve over the next few years as the consortia of companies working on it continue to make progress.
The equipment that Airtificial is developing for ITP Aero will be equipped with the latest electronic technology in the aerospace sector. The FCAS is a highly complex development programme that will integrate several technologies that are still under development, making the engine electronics a fundamental and critical part of its optimal development.
This agreement, the first within the FCAS framework, is Airtificial’s third deal with ITP Aero, after two previous contracts about a year and a half ago in other programmes. The first of these agreements was signed for the development and manufacture in carbon fibre of a part called a rake for civil aircraft engines. This vertical part was manufactured in metal and Airtificial has worked on its conversion from metal to composite materials to lighten the weight and gain strength and hardness.
The second contract Airtificial signed with ITP was for the development of technological equipment for recording data for an aircraft engine. This is also a prototype equipment for civil aviation with high prospects for continuity and expansion in new developments and contracts in the coming months.
Airtificial stands out in the European aerospace sector for its extensive experience in the design of composite parts for the aerospace sector, both for civil aviation and defense. Airtificial Aerospace & Defense has a workforce of approximately 480 people, of which 280 are engineers who work on the design of aircraft systems and structural parts at the Seville plant. The company mass-produces these parts with composite materials at the Jerez plant, where it employs about 120 people, has a large autoclave, and specialises in the production of aircraft components in composite materials.
Airtificial’s CEO, Guillermo Fernández de Peñaranda, says that “Airtificial consolidates its position as a strategic industrial partner by participating, together with one of the world’s leading aircraft engine manufacturers, in the FCAS, one of the most ambitious defense technology programmes in the world”. Fernández de Peñaranda added “this new agreement with ITP reinforces the positioning of Airtificial within the defense and aerospace industry, a sector with high growth prospects for the coming years and to which Aerospace & Defense can provide great added value”.
About Airtificial
Airtificial provides 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. It has an operational presence in thirteen countries in the main markets of Europe, America, and Asia; and contributes to the digital transformation and the automation and optimisation of its customers’ processes in the industrial field through sustainable and competitive growth.
Press contact:
Iñigo Palacio
(+34) 91 576 52 50 / 639 779 132
