Airbus is one of the big players in the air taxi game. The European manufacturer is now partnering with KLK Motorsport and Modell-und Formenbau Blasius Gerg GmbH to design, develop and manufacture the rear structure of CityAirbus NextGen.
The companies will work together to develop an ultra-lightweight rear fuselage, which plays a key role in the airframe’s flight efficiency and which meets the high standards of reliability and performance for Airbus’ electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) prototype. The two partners will design high-end composite solutions and components that will equip CityAirbus NextGen’s rear structure through a collaborative framework that enables them to mutually benefit from each company’s competencies in the design engineering and manufacturing process.
Directly interacting with the center fuselage and the wing, the rear structure will leverage both suppliers’ expertise in homogeneous design for FormulaE and Formula One vehicles while complying with the most stringent safety and reliability standards.
Airbus unveiled its eVTOL prototype CityAirbus NextGe in September 2021 to explore advanced air mobility technologies and bring urban air mobility services to life. The four-seat air taxi is designed to be efficient and ultra-silent while hitting up to 75 mph (120 km/h).
The company has selected partners for structural components of its prototype, such as Thales and Diehl, who will develop the aircraft‘s flight control computers or Spirit AeroSystems for its wings.
Airbus is also working closely with industrial and institutional partners to lead the development of urban air mobility ecosystems, as recently announced with ITA Airways in Italy or through the launch of the Air Mobility Initiative in Germany.
