Messier-Bugatti developed innovative braking and other systems for the A380. We talked with Jean-Michel Hillion, “systems” director at Messier-Bugatti.

What is Messier-Bugatti contributing to the Airbus super-jumbo jet?

We are supplying five major systems: the braking system, the steering system, the tire, brake and landing gear monitoring systems, the mini-pumps for the flight controls, and the distribution and filtration system for the hydraulic circuits.

Are there any innovations in these systems?

Quite a few! Because of the unprecedented size of the A380, Messier-Bugatti had to develop innovative solutions for each of its systems. Each of these five systems required real technical prowess in terms of keeping weight down, transmitting power, and meeting Airbus’s requirement for mature performance right from service entry. Messier-Bugatti worked alongside Airbus to develop these innovative technological solutions.

Take for example the full-brake-by-wire braking system, featuring a backup circuit with decentralized hydraulic generation; the steering system controls both the nose wheels and also some of the main landing gear wheels, for greater maneuverability; the new-generation TPMS tire pressure monitoring system, which is part of the integrated WABSIC system (1); high-performance mini-pumps for the flight controls; and the use of titanium to manufacture hydraulic system components, to handle the high pressure used (comparable to that on the Rafale fighter) and also reduce weight.

All in all, do you think the technology solutions developed for the A380 are a major advance for the aviation industry?

The answer is “yes!”, and this is very clear on new programs. I believe that the technological progress achieved thanks to the A380 will have an impact comparable to that of the Concorde in the 1970s.

(1) WABSIC: wheel and brake integrated components