ABSTRACT
To reduce the weight of the wings of the TU-204SM aircraft, investigations were carried out to design the upper wing panel made of the V-1469 high-strength aluminium–lithium alloy of the third generation. The technology of friction stir welding was developed and fragments of the welded panel produced. The tests of the stability under compression showed that the application of the welded panels reduces the weight of the wing by up to ~10% and increases the stability and load carrying capacity by up to ~30%.