Hi-Tech Plant Is Near Belfast In Northern Ireland
Bombardier Aerospace today
celebrated another major milestone in the CSeries aircraft program
as construction got under way on its new state-of-the-art aircraft
wing manufacturing and assembly facility in Belfast, Northern
Ireland.
“This is another significant milestone in the ongoing
development of the CSeries aircraft program. In August, the test
fuselage barrel arrived ahead of schedule at our St-Laurent,
Québec site, from China, and in September we celebrated the
groundbreaking of our first CSeries aircraft manufacturing building
in Mirabel, Québec. The CSeries aircraft program is
progressing well and to schedule, and we look forward to receiving
the first test wing from Belfast in 2011,” said Guy Hachey,
President and Chief Operating Officer, Bombardier Aerospace.
The new 600,000 sq ft factory is being built in two phases and
will incorporate an existing production building. The
facility’s design and layout are being optimized both for the
production process and to minimize environmental impact. The
structure will ensure maximum energy efficiency, and will
incorporate low energy solutions into its mechanical and electrical
infrastructure. Waste management was also a key consideration in
the design, with a particular focus being given to waste
segregation and recycling.
Joining Michael Ryan, Vice President and General Manager,
Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast to lay a special corner stone to mark
the construction was Northern Ireland Enterprise Minister Arlene
Foster, along with guests including contractors. “We are
delighted to mark this major investment in a new facility for the
production of advanced composite aircraft wings. The CSeries
aircraft program will help to build on our track record of almost
40 years experience in composites technology. We are currently
testing and proving out the design, manufacturing and assembly
processes for the CSeries aircraft wing. We are making excellent
progress and are very pleased with the results so far,” said
Michael Ryan.
“Just over a year ago, the CSeries aircraft project was
announced. Today we have laid the cornerstone for a
state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. This is a 20-year program
which will generate around 800 high quality jobs at Bombardier
Belfast in addition to the many employment opportunities during the
build phase for the local construction sector during the current
downturn,” declared Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster.
Bombardier C300
“Locating the CSeries aircraft wing project in Northern
Ireland is a clear endorsement of the expertise and skill which
exists in our aerospace sector and highlights our international
reputation for excellence. As this project develops, I hope that
there will be further opportunities for Bombardier and Invest
Northern Ireland to strengthen the Northern Ireland aerospace
industry,” she added.
Bombardier Belfast has successfully assembled a pre-production
demonstrator wing using its innovative Resin Transfer Infusion
advanced composites process, and is on track to begin testing this
in early 2010. Testing will be undertaken in a specialized test rig
where hydraulic jacks will be used to induce bending and twisting
into the wing structure, replicating every possible combination of
severe loading that the wing may experience in service.