Defence and security company Saab has signed a contract with Airbus to become a supplier on the A321 Airbus Cabin Flex Programme. The agreement covers design, development and manufacturing of the Door Plug 3 and Cover Plate. This is Saab’s first design-to-build programme within the Airbus Doors Community and gives Saab a greater role on this fast-growing aviation programme.
The fixed Door Structure “Plug Door 3” option is a dedicated structure that together with an alternative escape door gives the possibilities to optimize the aircraft cabin utilization all the way from a 3-class configuration to a high density one-class configuration.
Saab is responsible for the design, development, stress analysis and manufacture of the Door Plug 3 and Cover Plate as well as the development and procurement of production tools. The work package is metallic and includes a high degree of assembly. Most of the development will be completed by the Saab/Mahindra JV Saab India Tech Centre (SITC) in Hyderabad, with the assembly at the Saab/Aequs JV Aerostructures Assemblies India in Belgaum.
“This contract marks a break-through on yet another Airbus platform confirming our expertise and competitiveness as a global actor on the commercial aviation market and as an important and long-term partner to Airbus. It also places our Indian network on the Airbus map,” says Lars Jensen, head of business unit Aerostructures at Saab.