Dufour Aerospace, July 05, 2023 - Zurich/Villmergen - Dufour Aerospace is happy to announce that Connova AG has been selected as main supplier for the composite airframe of the uncrewed tilt-wing aircraft Aero2.
The major sub-assemblies of the airframe “main wing”, “fuselage” and “engine bay” will be produced by Connova AG at their production site in Villmergen (Aargau), Switzerland.
The all-composite light-weight airframe is a key contributor to the superior performance of Aero2. In that respect, Connova AG becomes a major partner to the Aero2 program. This close partnership is intended to last for many years to come and not only for the first four vehicles which have been contracted for now. The talks about increasing the contract value already in 2024 with more deliveries than originally planned have just began.
Connova’s long-lasting experience in designing and producing demanding aerospace-grade composite structural components for customers like Swiss-based aircraft manufacturer Pilatus makes Connova so valuable for the program. Swiss-based production will finally yield Swiss-made high-quality and precision.
Taylan Toprak, Head of Sales & Project Management at Connova, points out that the entire team is very proud to have been selected as one of the main suppliers for this exciting project. “I can tell you that we get many inquiries for composite airframes for similar new UAV or drone-type projects. None of these new concepts or market players equal the professionalism and dedication of Dufour Aerospace in the development and marketing of Aero2. We strongly believe in the success of this aircraft and are willing to increase our production capacities with the growing demand by Dufour Aerospace in the upcoming years.”
Simon Bendrey, Head of Design at Dufour Aerospace, says about this new partnership “Connova has a wealth of experience and knowledge as an established composite manufacturer to the aerospace and automotive industry. In making the wings for Dufour's current Aero2 experimental flight test aircraft to a new patent pending design and manufacturing method, Connova has demonstrated the diligence and professionalism required to assure the high standards of quality necessary to deliver light weight aircraft structures. Working together, I am confident that we can achieve the build standards expected of our regulators and customers and look forward to a successful future together”
About Connova AG – New Ways in Composites : Connova is a leading provider of customer-specific composite components and custom-tailored services – from the first idea to a finished product in serial production. The composite light-weight weight experts of Connova help clients finding the optimum solution for their light-weight projects. Often in close collaboration with leading technical universities and partners and based on decades of heritage in aviation, space, racing, medical and special solutions for the industry sector Connova always guarantees a comprehensive solution providing the best price-to-performance ratio and delivery on time.
Committed and highly qualified employees, as well as state-of-the-art infrastructure and solid manufacturing processes are the key to the company’s success. This is not only true the composite manufacturing shop equipped with autoclaves, hot presses, and ovens, but also for the in-house CNC machining shop. A classical one-stop solution provider - fast, flexible and to the highest quality standards. Just Swiss made.
About Dufour Aerospace : Dufour Aerospace develops efficient and ecological aircraft for patient and passenger transport, logistics and public safety. Dufour Aerospace’s designs currently under development rely on the tilt-wing principle. They take-off and land vertically in the smallest space like a helicopter but fly as fast and economically as an airplane. While the propellers are electric-driven, hybrid elements (conventional combustion engines or fuel cells) ensure a sufficiently long range.
The first product Dufour Aerospace will launch is the Aero2, an uncrewed aerial vehicle specifically designed for the transportation of critical cargo such as medical supplies of up to 40 kilograms/88 pounds in medium to long range distances. The manned Aero3, featuring a spacious cabin with eight seats and large doors, is the next aircraft in development by Dufour Aerospace.
The major sub-assemblies of the airframe “main wing”, “fuselage” and “engine bay” will be produced by Connova AG at their production site in Villmergen (Aargau), Switzerland.
The all-composite light-weight airframe is a key contributor to the superior performance of Aero2. In that respect, Connova AG becomes a major partner to the Aero2 program. This close partnership is intended to last for many years to come and not only for the first four vehicles which have been contracted for now. The talks about increasing the contract value already in 2024 with more deliveries than originally planned have just began.
Connova’s long-lasting experience in designing and producing demanding aerospace-grade composite structural components for customers like Swiss-based aircraft manufacturer Pilatus makes Connova so valuable for the program. Swiss-based production will finally yield Swiss-made high-quality and precision.
Taylan Toprak, Head of Sales & Project Management at Connova, points out that the entire team is very proud to have been selected as one of the main suppliers for this exciting project. “I can tell you that we get many inquiries for composite airframes for similar new UAV or drone-type projects. None of these new concepts or market players equal the professionalism and dedication of Dufour Aerospace in the development and marketing of Aero2. We strongly believe in the success of this aircraft and are willing to increase our production capacities with the growing demand by Dufour Aerospace in the upcoming years.”
Simon Bendrey, Head of Design at Dufour Aerospace, says about this new partnership “Connova has a wealth of experience and knowledge as an established composite manufacturer to the aerospace and automotive industry. In making the wings for Dufour's current Aero2 experimental flight test aircraft to a new patent pending design and manufacturing method, Connova has demonstrated the diligence and professionalism required to assure the high standards of quality necessary to deliver light weight aircraft structures. Working together, I am confident that we can achieve the build standards expected of our regulators and customers and look forward to a successful future together”
About Connova AG – New Ways in Composites : Connova is a leading provider of customer-specific composite components and custom-tailored services – from the first idea to a finished product in serial production. The composite light-weight weight experts of Connova help clients finding the optimum solution for their light-weight projects. Often in close collaboration with leading technical universities and partners and based on decades of heritage in aviation, space, racing, medical and special solutions for the industry sector Connova always guarantees a comprehensive solution providing the best price-to-performance ratio and delivery on time.
Committed and highly qualified employees, as well as state-of-the-art infrastructure and solid manufacturing processes are the key to the company’s success. This is not only true the composite manufacturing shop equipped with autoclaves, hot presses, and ovens, but also for the in-house CNC machining shop. A classical one-stop solution provider - fast, flexible and to the highest quality standards. Just Swiss made.
About Dufour Aerospace : Dufour Aerospace develops efficient and ecological aircraft for patient and passenger transport, logistics and public safety. Dufour Aerospace’s designs currently under development rely on the tilt-wing principle. They take-off and land vertically in the smallest space like a helicopter but fly as fast and economically as an airplane. While the propellers are electric-driven, hybrid elements (conventional combustion engines or fuel cells) ensure a sufficiently long range.
The first product Dufour Aerospace will launch is the Aero2, an uncrewed aerial vehicle specifically designed for the transportation of critical cargo such as medical supplies of up to 40 kilograms/88 pounds in medium to long range distances. The manned Aero3, featuring a spacious cabin with eight seats and large doors, is the next aircraft in development by Dufour Aerospace.
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