Lightning strike testing have been performed for the A350 XWB, completing a required step in preparations for this next-generation Airbus jetliner\u2019s maiden flight.<\/p>\n
These electromagnetic hazard evaluations took place at Airbus\u2019 Cl\u00e9ment Ader facility in Colomiers, France and involved the second A350 XWB flight test aircraft, to demonstrate necessary protection levels in case of lightning strikes while aloft. <\/p>\n
The A350 XWB\u2019s aerostructure is made primarily of composite materials (carbon fibre reinforced plastic), providing more electrical resistance than an aerostructure consisting mostly of metallics. To ensure the A350 XWB aerostructure safely manages lightning strikes, Airbus developed a solution where metallic foils are embedded in the aircraft\u2019s composite panels \u2013 increasing the aerostructure\u2019s electrical conductivity and protecting harnesses with metallic conduits. <\/p>\n
Metallic foils already have been used on the A380 rear fuselage section, however as the A350 XWB includes a higher percentage of composite materials, it is important to confirm that such foils provide adequate protection for systems and equipment. <\/p>\n
The A350 XWB electromagnetic hazard testing on MSN3 lasted around three days, consisting of lightning strike simulations and follow-up measurements of induced voltage\/current levels on selected harnesses. These evaluations use a low-level current injection rather than the actual electrical current level generated by a lightning strike, with the measured voltages and current then extrapolated to the real threat of 200,000 amperes. <\/p>\n
This testing will be continued by similar but longer tests on the MSN4 aircraft in 2014, fulfilling a requirement for type certification of Airbus\u2019 A350-900 version.<\/p>\n
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Lightning strike testing have been performed for the A350 XWB, completing a required step in preparations for this next-generation Airbus jetliner\u2019s maiden flight.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7712,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[139,512],"tags":[623,305],"class_list":["post-7711","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aerospace-aviation","category-composites-news","tag-a350-xwb","tag-airbus"],"yoast_head":"\n