Airbus Chooses Comau for Main Assembly and Test Stations for Mobile Assembly Line

Airbus has selected Comau Aerospace to supply the aircraft main assembly and test stations for the A319, A320 and A321 aircraft to be assembled in Mobile, Alabama. The assembly and test stations include the large steel fixtures that surround and hold the aircraft sections as they are assembled, allow the technicians to access the assemblies, and house the tooling and automatic drilling units used to put the aircraft together.

Comau is a global organization, with the NAFTA headquarters located in Southfield, Michigan. The company has 40 years of experience in advanced manufacturing systems, and previously provided tooling and stations for Spirit AeroSystems’ A350 Fixed Leading Edge assembly plant in Prestwick, Scotland.

Allan McArtor, Chairman-Airbus Americas, said, “The design of this tooling will be based on existing Airbus designs, but adapted to include the latest improvements and the new requirements for the NEO aircraft tooling, making the Mobile facility the most advanced of Airbus’ A320 family assembly lines. Comau was the right choice for us, and we look forward to working closely with them during this process.”

“We feel this is a strategic decision for both Airbus and Comau, and we are pleased to have been selected as the full line integrator”, said Brad Pelachyk, Chief Operating Officer of Comau Adaptive Solutions and Comau Aerospace. “This opportunity will certainly enhance our relationship with Airbus as well as our position in the aerospace industry as a whole”.

On July 2, 2012, Airbus announced it will establish a manufacturing facility in the United States to assemble and deliver A319, A320 and A321 aircraft. Located at the Brookley Aeroplex in Mobile, it will be the company’s first U.S.-based production facility. The assembly line, which will create jobs and strengthen the aerospace industry, is part of the strategy to enhance Airbus’ global competitiveness by meeting the growing needs of its customers in the United States and elsewhere.

Aircraft assembly is planned to start in 2015, with first deliveries from the Mobile facility beginning in 2016. Airbus anticipates the facility will produce between 40 and 50 aircraft per year by 2018.