Airbus takes part in the European City of Science at the Grand Palais in Paris, from 14 to 16 November 2008

Airbus will be taking part in the European City of Science between 14 and 16 November 2008, at the Grand Palais in Paris. Airbus will present research and innovation projects, carried out in European partnerships, as part of Airbus’ eco-efficient commitment to the environment.

Organised by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research during the French Presidency of the European Union, the European City of Science will be the launch event for the 2008 Science Festival.

In order to satisfy the expectations of an ever-greater audience passionate about the sciences and technologies of the future, Airbus has chosen to exhibit eight Research and Technology projects - in progress or already completed - in the framework of far-reaching European or international partnerships, such as:

* ILDAS (In-Flight Lightning Strike Damage Assessment System) to monitor aircraft lightening strike.

* AWIATOR (Aircraft Wing with Advanced Technology Operation) illustrates the research in the area of wing aerodynamics for designing greener aircraft (reduced noise and fuel consumption).

* Clean Sky Smart Fixed Wing Aircraft is one of the components of the Clean Sky research programme aiming to reduce significantly the environmental impact of air transport (integration of new power-plant concepts and of technologies to improve aerodynamic performance).

* SILENCE® has led to the development of a new rivet-free - and therefore quieter - engine air intake, used on the A380.

* ALCAS focuses on the manufacture of composite material structures, such as the centre wing box, aiming to optimise the manufacturing process and choose the best-suited materials in order to lower production and maintenance costs, while introducing weight savings in the structures.

* OPTIMAL examines environmental issues, concentrating on operational aspects such as improving aircraft trajectories in the vicinity of airports in order to reduce the noise footprint on the ground.

* The NACRE project on the aircraft of the future studies new concepts for tomorrow’s aircraft, taking into account user demands, respect for the environment and technological advances.

* The VIVACE project (Collaborative Engineering at the service of aircraft) has made it possible to improve cooperation between partners with different languages and cultures by putting in place specific tools. It has laid the foundations for a “collaborative” engineering environment particularly well suited to the context of the extended enterprise.

Sensitive to its position as an industry leader, Airbus strives to be an eco-efficient enterprise. To that end Airbus is the first aeronautics company in the world to have earned the ISO 14001 environmental certification for all production sites and products for the entire life cycle. Airbus seeks to ensure that air transport continues to be an eco-efficient means of transport, delivering economic value while minimizing its environmental impact.