MOBILE, Ala., 27 Feb. 2007.Airbus' long-range A350XWB aircraft and the Northrop Grumman KC-30 advanced tanker have come a step closer to reality in Mobile, Ala., as Airbus North America's engineering center officially opened its doors.
During a grand opening ceremony at the Brookley Field complex in Mobile, chairman of Airbus North America Allan McArtor acknowledged the significance of the Mobile facility to Airbus' overall growth in the U.S.: "Airbus has made a substantial commitment within the U.S., where we spend billions of dollars with U.S.-based suppliers, and where we already have four other centers of excellence. This engineering center is a further extension of that commitment."
The ceremony was attended by many state and local officials and dignitaries, all of whom noted the importance of the engineering center to the U.S., Alabama, and Mobile.
At full capacity, the engineering center is slated to employ at least 150 engineers. Those engineers will be responsible initially for assignments related to Airbus' new A350XWB aircraft, including the design of cabin interiors, crew rest compartments, lavatories, and galleys. It also is the first step in a potentially larger-scale industrial site to be built should the Northrop Grumman KC-30 advanced tanker cargo aircraft team, of which EADS is a principal subcontractor, receive an order to modernize the U.S. Air Force's aerial refueling tanker fleet.
