The aircraft industry is constantly striving for improved materials that enable higher performance at reduced cost. The application of aluminum in future airframes requires the full utilization of the potential that is inherent in modern aluminum alloys. Corus Aluminum Rolled Products GmbH together with Corus Research, Development and Technology has developed new materials for fuselage and wing components. These new alloys are specially designed for optimum performance with the new manufacturing techniques and aircraft designs recently introduced or to be introduced by the aircraft industry. The close cooperation of CORUS with its customers has lead to a significant potential for improvement in manufacturing costs. This presentation covers recent work at Corus RD&T and Corus Aluminium Rolled Products demonstrating the implications of new high performance aluminum products for the design and manufacturing of new aircrafts structures.