RIGOROUS testing is under way in the United Kingdom of an advanced composite aircraft wing that is claimed to represent an "innovative leap forward in aviation design and technology."

The new type of wing being designed, developed and manufactured in Northern Ireland will combine the virtues of ultra lightness with high structural strength for an all-new family of twin-jet airliners expected to enter service in 2013.

The demonstrator wing is being pioneered by the Bombardier Aerospace company at its Belfast plant for the Canadian Bombardier CSeries twin-jet - claimed to be the only optimised family of planes being specifically designed for the longer range, single-aisle 100-149-seat market.

Bombardier said the newcomer would have "the lowest operating costs in its class while offering exceptional operational flexibility, wide-body comfort and the best environmental credentials".

Composite materials such as carbon fibre and aluminium lithium are increasing to be used in aircraft construction, and the CSeries - for instance - will feature a 70-per-cent advanced materials airframe as well as composite wings.

The United Kingdom has an enviable record in the design and development of advanced technology wings, including those used in the European Airbus - and Bombardier now boasts of almost 40 years' experience in composite technologies.

In Northern Ireland, it inherited a big pool of aerospace expertise when in 1989 it took over Short Brothers - famous for its Sherpa, Shorts 360, Skyvan and Tucano aircraft.

Testing has just started on a full-scale, three-quarter-span, pre-production demonstration composite wing at Belfast, where construction is under way on a new 55,700 square-metre factory that has been designed for long-term, state-of-the-art wing manufacture and assembly.

The first composite wing should be ready for shipment in 2011 from Belfast to Quebec, Canada, where the CSeries twin-jet will be assembled.

Using the company's unique advanced resin transfer infusion process, Bombardier has produced a pre-production demonstrator structure that represents the outer wing to centre wing box and centre fuselage attachments, including a simulated main landing gear leg and a simulated engine and pylon.

The prototype wing is then loaded into a specialised test rig where hydraulic jacks are used to induce bending and twisting, replicating every possible combination of severe loading that the wing may experience during the course of many years of service.

Almost 400 engineering and support staff are involved in the wing research and development in Belfast; about 800 jobs will be generated during full production as well as many more in the wider supply chain.

The project is described as the largest single investment in Northern Ireland so far. Michael Ryan, vice-president and general manager of Bombardier Belfast, commented: "Through a rigorous testing programme, we will get real data from the demonstrator which will enable us to optimise the design of the actual CSeries aircraft production wing.

"This will allow us to create the lightest weight solution with the utmost confidence in the wing's structural integrity ... we are delighted with the progress," he added.

Mr Ryan continued: "Locating the CSeries wing project in Northern Ireland is a clear endorsement of the expertise and skill which exists in our aerospace sector and highlights our international reputation for excellence.

"As this project develops, I hope that there will be further opportunities for Bombardier and Invest Northern Ireland to strengthen the Northern Ireland aerospace industry. The programme is building on our track record in Belfast of almost 40 years' experience in composites technologies," he added.

"Not only will it further develop our capabilities and skills in one of the most advanced areas of aerospace technologies, but we believe it will also cement the UK's wider strategic interests in aircraft wing development," said Michael Ryan.

Among UK companies that are benefiting from the project is GKN Aerospace that has been chosen to design and manufacture the composite winglets that will reduce wing drag on the CSeries, resulting in fuel savings of at least six per cent, with consequent reductions in emissions and improvements in payload and range.

First winglet deliveries are expected in 2011 and the contract, which covers the period to 2025, could be worth more than 100 million US dollars.

Since its launch at the UK's Farnborough Air Show in 2008, the CSeries family of aircraft has won firm orders totalling 90, with a further 90 options.