The (Airbus) Protocol Programme - APART

Airbus is designing a smarter, lighter aircraft wing that could cut fuel burn and emissions by reshaping itself in flight. This project, called APART, tackles a specific gap: current aircraft wings are fixed structures that cannot adapt to changing flight conditions. By developing technologies for a "Smart Active Wing of the Future," the programme aims to replace rigid control surfaces with flexible, responsive wing sections that optimise aerodynamics during take-off, cruise, and landing. The work is led by Airbus UK and feeds directly into the UK Centre of Excellence for wing design. If successful, the technologies could reduce drag, lower fuel consumption, and shrink the carbon footprint of commercial aviation. Passengers would not notice the wing moving, but the savings in jet fuel and emissions would be significant. The project also strengthens the UK’s industrial capability in wing design, manufacturing, and testing—a sector that supports thousands of skilled jobs and underpins the country’s aerospace supply chain. This is applied engineering with a clear environmental and economic target: making the next generation of aircraft quieter, cleaner, and cheaper to operate.