Volvo Aero focuses on light weight at the Paris Air Show 2007

As usual, Volvo Aero is exhibiting at the Paris Air Show, in Le Bourget, outside Paris. This time under the theme “Make It Light.” The aim is to promote Volvo Aero’s technologies within lightweight structures, which result in lighter engines, reduced fuel consumption and, accordingly, a better environment.
Volvo Aero’s stand at Le Bourget features large images of acrobats who appear to be hanging in the air weightless. The acrobats are also shown in a film that is transmitted continuously on a big screen on the stand. The entire presentation is an illustration of Volvo Aero’s lightweight concept, which is being launched at this year’s largest exhibition.

“Lightweight technology has been one of Volvo Aero’s strength factors for some time. However, it was only recently that it gained focus in conjunction with the environmental debate and rising oil prices,” says Olof Persson, President of Volvo Aero. “That is why we decided to launch our lightweight technology at the air show.”

Lightweight means lower fuel consumption and reduced CO2 emissions. This is one of Volvo Aero’s contributions to the ACARE target of a 50% reduction in CO2 from air transport by the year 2020.

Volvo Aero focuses on developing lightweight solutions for aircraft engine structures and rotors. This includes a range of technologies developed in national and EU-funded programs.
Volvo Aero’s initiative is based on competencies that have been accumulated over many years, with their base in the company’s military operations. Cooperation with the Government is now being developed on the civilian side, through the environmental programs that are under way. Among other activities, Volvo Aero and the Government are jointly investing SEK 126 million during 2007-2010 in a civilian demonstrator program.

The aim of the “Aviation technology and demonstrator program” (Swedish acronym FLUD) is to use needs-oriented research to promote sustainable growth in Sweden. The decision is positive for Volvo Aero, which has long worked for Sweden to establish a national program for developing more environmentally compatible aircraft.