Jun 8 2005
Alcoa has announced that its program launched in 2002 to reduce the cost and weight of advanced aerospace metallics by 20% is significantly ahead of schedule as a result of extensive research and development achievements, helping to redefine the performance potential of metallic aerospace structures. These breakthrough innovations have been realized through the integration of advanced aluminum alloys, hybrid structural materials, innovative design concepts, novel manufacturing and assembly techniques, as well as close collaboration with customers.
Today's announcement was made at the 16th AeroMat Advanced Aerospace Materials & Processes Conference and Exposition in Orlando, Fla., the leading technical symposium that focuses exclusively on process development and advanced aerospace materials, structures and propulsion systems.
"There is a metamorphosis happening within Alcoa Aerospace today," said Jens Hinrichsen, director, Aerospace Produce Strategy and Development. "It has been brought on certainly by the competitive realities of the advanced materials industry. But it has been equally sponsored by two other very important forces - the broadening of Alcoa's aerospace product portfolio and the advancements registered by our technical community over the past decade. Alcoa is broader solutions-wide and deeper technically than we have ever been."
Alcoa Aerospace first introduced its new vision for aerospace metallics in 2002 and committed with major customers to a strategic, long-term initiative that will help customers design, engineer and manufacture aircraft that meet and exceed all performance requirements. That program, called the Alcoa Aerospace 20/20 Initiative, sought to reduce the weight and cost of advanced aerospace metallics by at least 20% over two decades.
http://www.alcoa.com