Airbus has advanced testing of the A350F freighter’s cargo loading system and main deck cargo door actuation as production ramps up. The first composite main deck cargo door, manufactured at the company’s Illescas facility in Spain, arrived at the Toulouse final assembly line for integration into the initial test aircraft, MSN 700.
This door, positioned at the rear fuselage, measures 4.5 meters in cut-out width and provides a 4.3-meter-wide by 3.15-meter-high clear opening, enabling easier access for pallets and containers. It employs an electro-mechanical actuation system supplied by Curtiss-Wright, featuring rotary and linear actuators, control electronics, and a high-voltage DC architecture for reduced weight and enhanced reliability with health monitoring.
With the door now installed, Airbus has entered ground-testing of all aircraft systems, including the optimized cargo loading system and reinforced main deck floor. These evaluations precede first flight, planned for later this year, validating operations for the 111-tonne payload freighter capable of 4,700 nautical miles range.
The A350F supports 30 main deck pallets in general cargo layout and features fine temperature control from 4°C to 26°C per compartment.