Saab delivers first Mid & Outer Fixed Leading Edge for Airbus A380

The first Mid & Outer Fixed Leading Edge for the Airbus A380 was delivered to Airbus at a ceremony today in Linköping. With 31 meters length, this is the largest single component that Saab has ever manufactured. The Airbus A380 will be the world’s largest passenger aircraft, with capacity for 555 passengers. Its maiden flight is slated for the early 2005, and deliveries to customers will begin in 2006.

"Saab has a long tradition as a skilled and trustworthy aircraft manufacturer, and that has enabled us to participate in this project as a risk sharing partner. The delivery of the first Mid & Outer Fixed Leading Edge represents a major success, and is a step in the process of making the manufacture and supply of structural components one of Saab’s core activities," says Åke Svensson, Vice President and General Manager of Saab Aerospace and from July 14^th, appointed to be CEO of Saab.

The development and production of the Mid & Outer Fixed Leading Edge at Saab Commercial Programs, a business unit within Saab Aerospace, has gone entirely according to schedule. Today there is around one hundred A380-aircraft ordered and Saab will deliver Mid & Outer Fixed Leading Edges to all A380 passenger and freight versions.

The Mid & Outer Fixed Leading Edge is now being shipped by long-haul truck to Airbus in Broughton, Great Britain, where the entire wing will be assembled. The wing will then be transported to Airbus in Toulouse, France, where the entire aircraft will be assembled.

Saab has cooperated with Airbus since 1997, and has developed and is producing components for the A340 – 500/600 and the A320. Cooperation with respect to the A380 began with concept studies in 1997. Saab is responsible for the development and production of the Mid & Outer Fixed Leading Edge for the wing with support from the Swedish National Debt office in this important industrial effort.

Saab is one of the world’s leading high-technology companies with its main operations focusing on defense, aviation and space. The group covers a broad spectrum of competence and capability in systems integration.

Pictures available at: http://www.newsonline.nu/imgway/index.asp?pmid=25367

For further information please contact:
Peter Larsson, Vice President Communications and
Public Affairs, Saab Aerospace +46 13 180018, +46 734 180018

Heidi Wendt, Communications Manager,
Saab Aerospace +46 13 180017, +46 734 180017

Pictures and more information are available at www.saabaerospace.com

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