Airbus Netherlands handed over Flight Model 16, the first lightweight Vulcain Aft Bay developed for Ariane 6 Block 2, to ArianeGroup in France on Oct. 21, 2026, European Spaceflight reported. The upgraded structure went through Rotterdam on its way to ArianeGroup in France. Its first flight on an Ariane 6 mission will take place in 2027. Rob Postma, Airbus Netherlands President, announced the delivery in a LinkedIn post about FM16.
The aft bay is a structural assembly fixed to the base of the main stage on Ariane 6. It carries the Vulcain 2.1 engine and transfers its thrust into the rocket’s primary structure. European Spaceflight said the redesigned bay is 55 millimeters shorter than the earlier version and weighs 400 kilograms less than the roughly five-tonne current assembly.
European Spaceflight said the 400-kilogram reduction amounts to roughly half of the weight saving Airbus Netherlands had originally anticipated. Leonardo Times reported in 2025 that engineers achieved a saving of more than 550 kilograms following their tour of Airbus Netherlands’ production facility. Leonardo Times is an aerospace magazine produced by students at Delft University of Technology.
Rob Postma did not discuss the difference between earlier weight estimates and the saving finally announced in his October 21 statement, European Spaceflight reported. Postma is Airbus Netherlands President and revealed the delivery in a LinkedIn post about FM16.
The Ariane 6 Block 2 evolution pairs the lighter bay with the stronger P160C solid rocket boosters. Those boosters made their first flight on an Ariane 64 rocket in June 2026. European Spaceflight reported in August that ESA named the lighter bay among the remaining upgrades intended to lift Ariane 6’s performance and competitiveness. ESA had expected a Block 3 series after Block 2 but later confirmed it would not pursue Block 3, citing “no programme need or justification”.
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