Saab makes first delivery for the A380F

Recently, Saab delivered the first mid and outer leading edge, MOLE, for the freighter version of the A380. The MOLE has been sent to Airbus UK in Broughton where the complete wing will be assembled.

Ann Wilson, Head of Leading Edge Design Build Team for A380F at Airbus UK, was very pleased that the MOLE was delivered according to plan, and took the chance to thank the employees at Saab at a ceremony where about one hundred employees were present.
- The fact that the MOLE will be on dock in Broughton the week that we have been focusing on is a true achievement that you should be proud of. The senior management team is extremely impressed by your achievement to deliver on time.

Pontus Kallén, Senior Vice President and Managing Director at Saab Aerostructures, was of course also very happy to have reached this important milestone.
- It has always been a trademark for Saab to deliver on time, he said.

A380F must be able to carry up to 150 tons of freight, which requires a reinforced structure to tolerate the loads on the wings. The basic design for the MOLE of A380F is principally the same as for the passenger version but with necessary optimization to meet the demands of the freighter version.

Saab began the cooperation with Airbus in 1997. During the summer of 2001, Saab and Airbus announced the signing of the agreement that made Saab responsible for an extensive wing package including both development and production of the mid and outer leading edge, for the passenger as well as the freighter versions of the A380. Saab is a risk-sharing partner in the A380 project.

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