WORK has begun on a revolutionary wing testing centre at Airbus in Filton.

The new facility will enable the company and its partners to develop new and cutting edge ideas for the wings of the future, which the company says will help underpin the UK as one of the world’s leading aerospace sectors.

Around 200 Airbus employees gathered at the site of the new centre to mark the start of construction earlier this month.

“Creating the wing of the future will be no easy task,” said Airbus UK general manager and HR director Mark Stewart.

“The teams will explore the best materials, manufacturing and assembly techniques available, as well as new technologies in aerodynamics and wing architecture.

“The Airbus Wing Integration Centre will provide the team with the latest equipment to perform a range of diverse and extensive testing.”