Airbus has selected two SAFRAN Group companies, Messier-Bugatti and Labinal, to design, develop and manufacture critical systems and equipment for its new A350XWB long-haul commercial jet.

Messier-Bugatti will supply the wheels and carbon brakes, based on Sepcarb®III OR carbon disks, today's benchmark, with the lowest rate of wear and best friction performance in the world. Messier-Bugatti will also supply the two nose wheels and eight main wheels for the different versions of this aircraft. The wheels and brakes for the A350XWB will be "eco-designed" and "eco-produced", in particular using hydro-soluble paints and completely eliminating chrome.

Messier-Bugatti had already been selected in February 2008 to provide all landing and braking control systems for this new family of commercial jets: braking, steering, landing gear extension/retraction and wheel, brake and landing gear monitoring.

The contract won by Labinal covers a comprehensive electrical package for the new A350XWB. The company is responsible for the integrated design and build of the Electrical Wiring Interconnect System package for the entire A350XWB fuselage.

Labinal's proven production and engineering capabilities, comprehensive processes and technological expertise were decisive factors in the decision by Airbus to award this large-scale contract.

We are very proud to be selected as a key partner on the A350XWB program," said Yves Leclère, SAFRAN Executive Vice President, Aircraft Equipment branch. "SAFRAN's major role on this aircraft, reflected in these two latest contracts, clearly confirms the longstanding relationship of mutual trust between our two companies."

With these two contracts, along with that won by Messier-Dowty for the landing gear, the A350XWB will generate total sales for SAFRAN of approximately $11 billion.