Montana Aerospace: Montana Aerospace Advances Innovation Partnership with Airbus in Next-Generation Aircraft Programme
Reinach (pta007/22.10.2026/07:30 UTC+2)
Asco, a subsidiary of Montana Aerospace AG, achieves significant technological milestone in the development of a hybrid multi-material Rear Secondary Structure for Airbus
Montana Aerospace, a leading, highly vertically integrated manufacturer and supplier of system components and complex assemblies for the aerospace industry, continues to invest in research and innovation to expand its capabilities beyond its core wing-structures business. Its Belgian subsidiary, Asco Industries, headquartered in Zaventem, has achieved a high level of technological maturity in the development of an innovative hybrid metallic-composite Rear Secondary Structure (RSS) fairing for Airbus's next-generation single-aisle aircraft programme - further strengthening Asco's engineering capabilities beyond its traditional wing-structures business.
A key development milestone was achieved with the successful presentation of a full-scale prototype assembly to a broad group of Airbus stakeholders in Toulouse. The demonstration, held in conjunction with a Final Review Meeting at Airbus, highlighted the high level of technological maturity achieved in the development of the new hybrid structure.
A Technology Building Block for Montana Aerospace
Aviation, as well as space and, increasingly, UAV and drone applications are driving rising demand for lighter, more efficient and more capable structures. For Montana Aerospace, the ability to intelligently combine different materials, manufacturing processes and technologies is a logical extension of its existing aerospace capabilities across these growth markets.
Research and development in hybrid structures such as this RSS programme allows the Group to move beyond individual components toward more technologically advanced, more integrated solutions. Over time, insights from the development work in Zaventem can be combined with the material, engineering and manufacturing expertise of other Montana Aerospace sites — turning a local R&D programme into a technology building block for the wider Group.
For Montana Aerospace, the full-scale demonstration is therefore more than a single Asco programme: it is a proof point for how targeted investment in research and innovation, applied consistently across the Group's sites, strengthens its position as a competitive partner for both legacy and next-generation aircraft.
Paul Andreucci, Chief Commercial Officer of Montana Aerospace, explains: "This programme demonstrates the strategic value of research and innovation in continuously expanding the Group's technological capabilities. By combining expertise in materials, engineering and manufacturing across Montana Aerospace, we can develop solutions that complement our existing Aerostructures portfolio and create new opportunities for both existing and next-generation platforms."
As part of the ongoing innovation partnership between Airbus and Asco the project was launched in 2022 under a Collaborative Research Agreement between Airbus Airframe Propulsion in Toulouse and Asco. The collaboration covers the full development cycle, from concept design and structural sizing to the manufacture of two full-scale prototype assemblies in 2026.
The resulting design combines Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) skins manufactured using Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) with aluminium and titanium structural interfaces, thermoplastic frames and injection-moulded thermoplastic components, engineered for the optimum balance of weight, cost and manufacturability at future high-rate production volumes. Compared with legacy solutions, the new RSS concept reduces structural weight through the targeted use of composite materials, lowers overall cost mainly by cutting installation time during final aircraft assembly, and is designed for high-rate production through a highly integrated, plug-and-play assembly concept with full interchangeability and simplified field maintenance.
"Reaching this high level of maturity on this programme is the result of years of engineering development by our teams in close collaboration with Airbus," said Jérôme Morhet, CEO of Asco. "It shows that Asco can take a structure from concept to a validated, production-ready design in a genuinely new material combination — and do so to the standards Airbus expects, on a component outside our historical wing scope."
Following the successful Asco studies and full-scale demonstrations, Airbus plans to continue evaluating the concept at complete pylon level, including installation trials of the Asco demonstrator on a representative next-generation aircraft pylon structure.
Asco is diversifying into new platforms and product families, with pylon structures and hybrid metal-composite solutions as one potential track, while leveraging its core strength in complex structural components. In pylon components, Asco aims to build on its existing expertise to broaden its position in complex structural pylon parts and assemblies. In hybrid structures, it is developing metal-composite and multi-material structures that combine its metallic know-how with complementary technologies.
With this milestone, Montana Aerospace further strengthens its position in multi-material aerospace structures. Asco Belgium supports the Group's broader participation in next-generation aerostructure development within the Airbus supply chain, extending beyond its traditional wing structures activities.
Press contact
Jürgen Beilein
Mobile: +43 664 831 2 841
Email: communication@montana-aerospace.com
Press photo © Montana Aerospace
Image caption: The first full-scale RSS prototype assembly, with members of the Asco R&I Design Engineering and Airbus teams, during an intermediate review meeting at Asco's Composite Center, Zaventem, Belgium.
About Montana Aerospace AG
Montana Aerospace AG is a globally active industrial group specializing in the development and production of system components and complex assemblies for the aerospace industry. All products and solutions are based on decades of expertise and are used wherever the highest standards of quality, durability, and reliability are required. At 16 locations across Europe, North America, and Asia, around 6,300 highly qualified employees work on developing innovative technologies for the aerospace of tomorrow—using aluminum, titanium, steel, and composite materials. As a true one-stop shop, Montana Aerospace provides integrated solutions across the entire value chain—from the development of proprietary alloys in its casthouses through extrusion, machining, surface treatment, and pre-assembly—offering customers comprehensive, end-to-end support with shorter lead times, reduced procurement complexity, and greater flexibility.
About Asco Industries (Asco)
Asco is a global leader in the design, manufacturing, and assembly of high-lift mechanisms, complex structural assemblies, and mission-critical components for the commercial and military aviation industry. As a subsidiary of Montana Aerospace AG, Asco offers OEMs and Tier-1 customers a onestop-shop approach for highly precise, ready-to-install aerospace solutions. With approximately 1,200 employees at locations in Belgium, Germany, the USA, and Canada, Asco supplies leading programs from Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, Bombardier, and Gulfstream, as well as defense programs to Lockheed Martin. Efficient, sustainable manufacturing and continuous innovation drive the company's future success.
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Montana Aerospace Alzbachstrasse 27 5734 Reinach Switzerland |
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| Contact Person: | Jürgen Beilein | |
| Phone: | +43 664 831 28 41 | |
| E-Mail: | communication@montana-aerospace.com | |
| Website: | www.montana-aerospace.com | |
| ISIN(s): | CH1110425654 (Share) | |
| Stock Exchange(s): | SIX Swiss Exchange |