Airbus thinks it can minimize the effects on the range of the A321XLR from additional protection liners around the Rear Center Tank (RCT). The airframer is still testing the aircraft in the final phase of certification and hopes to be able to stay as close to the advertised range of 4.700 nautical miles/8.700 kilometers as possible. Airbus optimistic it can keep the A321XLR’s long range.
As reported by FlightGlobal at the Paris Airshow, Airbus and European regulator EASA had reached an agreement in principle on the additional requirements
to protect the RCT from any foreign objects or other damage. The 12.900-liter tank, which is positioned right behind the wing center box and next to the main landing gear, would require a protective liner to make it kind of ‘bulletproof.’
Reuters reported last week that the protection liners around the RCT will make the A321XLR some 700 to 800 kilograms heavier than planned. This would eat some 200nm/370 kilometers into the range of the aircraft and partly give away its key asset. Airbus had “no comment on any weight increase speculations”, it replied to questions from AirInsight earlier this week.
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