“Lightweight technology has been one of Volvo Aero’s strength factors for some time. However, it was only recently that it gained focus in conjunction with the environmental debate and rising oil prices, that is why we decided to launch our lightweight technology at the air show.”

Olof Persson, President of Volvo Aero exhibited the lightweight structure that the new Volvo Aero exudes. Aptly themed “Make it Light”, the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget showcased a fantastic car that has a lighter engine, reduced fuel consumption and, accordingly, a better environment.

The Volvo Aero show featured large images of acrobats who appear to be hanging in the air weightless. The acrobats are also shown in a film that is transmitted continuously on a big screen on the stand. The entire presentation is an illustration of Volvo Aero’s lightweight concept, which is being launched at this year’s largest exhibition.

Basically, lightweight means lower fuel consumption and reduced Co2. This is one of Volvo Aero’s contributions to the ACARE target of a 50% reduction in CO2 from air transport by the year 2020. Not to be exclusive to automobiles only, Volvo also focuses on developing lightweight solutions for aircraft engine structures and rotors. This includes a range of technologies developed in national and EU-funded programs.

Volvo Aero’s initiative is based on competencies that have been accumulated over many years, with their base in the company’s military operations. Cooperation with the Government is now being developed on the civilian side, through the environmental programs that are under way. Among other activities, Volvo Aero and the Government are jointly investing SEK 126 million during 2007-2010 in a civilian demonstrator program.

The aim of the “Aviation technology and demonstrator program” (Swedish acronym FLUD) is to use needs-oriented research to promote sustainable growth in Sweden. The decision is positive for Volvo Aero, which has long worked for Sweden to establish a national program for developing more environmentally compatible aircraft.

It safe to say the Volvo does revolutionize the way we commute, now only in their vehicles down here but with the ones tht are way up the sky.

This entry was posted on Monday, June 18th, 2007 at 10:17 pm and is filed under Volvo News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.