Armstrong Foils: After two years in development, the new A-Wing XPS Mk II is here!
by Kjell van Sice 21 May 15:58 PDT
Armstrong XPS MKII is now available after two years of development with many new features for foilers of all skill levels. - May 20, 2025 © Franck Berthuot
After two years in development, the new A-Wing XPS Mk II is here.
Whether it’s next level wing surfing, freestyle, or the Wednesday night local race, it’s all in the cards with the A-Wing XPS Mk II. This evolution of the A-Wing delivers greater stability and upwind speed along with the all new Dyna-Link handle system for seamless adjustability between carbon handles or a boom. It’s an industry leading blend of power, efficiency, and modularity.
Airframe
Setting the tone for performance.
Precisely engineered for stability and upwind speed, the XPS Mk II’s airframe gives it the bandwidth to work with real-world conditions that aren’t always ideal, so you can focus on your ride and let the wing do its thing.
Outline
Balanced and stable, yet super efficient.
This airframe is now lower aspect for increased stability and smoother power delivery across the wind range, especially in the smaller sizes. Leading edge diameter and airfoil section are optimized for a blend of stability in gusts and speedy efficiency upwind, which is a win whether you’re sending airs like Cash Berzolla or working out the basics.
Pre Twist
Shaped for efficiency.
Pre-twist in the airframe allows the XPS Mk II to achieve its optimal shape when riding, meaning a more efficient airfoil section when it matters. And the slight “double bend” in the strut contributes to efficiency upwind by setting up your arms at the best angle, further reducing muscle fatigue for a more comfortable ride.
Materials
Made for the real world.
Sessions can really do a number on your wing over time, which is why we’ve chosen DLE 160 and 130 for the right amount of durability without sacrificing airframe performance.
Canopy
The most advanced canopy on the market.
The XPS Mk II’s canopy is the most advanced wing canopy on the market. Teijin D3 Technoforce material laid up in the Cross Panel Sail design make for stunning performance with real-world durability.
XPS
Cross Panel Sail Design.
Inspired from the performance sailing world and innovated by Armstrong in winging, the Cross Panel Sail (XPS) design provides an outstanding connected feel to the wing when riding. By arranging the individual canopy panels at specific angles that best suit load distribution across each panel, this panel layout greatly reduces sail distortion, improves frame rigidity, and packs in more power.
Windows
Safety without compromising performance.
Clear TPU windows provide excellent horizontal visibility along the strut for added special awareness and safety. Our TPU is lightweight, exceptionally clear, and won’t yellow or crack over time.
Battens
Minimizing flutter.
Removable carbon fiber trailing edge battens minimize canopy flutter and provide easy tuning for varying wind strengths.
Materials
Highly curated.
We’ve chosen Teijin D3 Technoforce because it feels great in flight, maintains its tension over time, and limits wear to a minimum. DLE 130 reinforcement panels further protect the canopy and boost the wing’s longevity. Prior to assembly, we rigorously inspect each piece of canopy material to ensure only the very best selection makes it into our wings.
Handles
You’ve got options.
Dyna-Link is an interchangeable strut handle system for the A-Wing XPS. It allows you to choose separate handles or a boom, is quick and easy to assemble with zero hardware, and is pre-positioned so the wing is precisely balanced in flight.
Modular
The choice is yours.
The A-Wing XPS Mk II is optionable with either newly designed carbon handles, a carbon boom, or Hybrid Carbon Handles. Handle and boom lengths scale S-M-L according to specific wing sizes. The new carbon handles and carbon boom both have a circular profile carbon core that’s made with the same tech that goes into our carbon foils. Overtop the carbon core is a textured EVA foam exterior that’s direct and precise yet comfortable for long sessions. The Hybrid Carbon Handles maintain the same flatter design and construction found on the first generation XPS, now integrated into the Dyna-Link system. Harness loops are stitched into the strut.
Dyna-Link
Less is more.
The Dyna-Link design is strong, simple, and highly functional without any added fluff. It lacks added wear points like tracks, hardware, or plastic and instead opts for carbon fiber handle towers that link to the strut by hooking into super strong Dyneema anchor loops. Attached or removed when the strut is deflated, the handles lock solidly into place once the strut inflates to pressure. Note: The Mk II’s strut is now a different pressure than the leading edge.
Placement
Optimally balanced.
The Dyna-Link anchors are placed on the strut in the most balanced and efficient positions. No guesswork needed with infinite handle placement options. Anchor placement is tuned every 3 wing sizes to maintain consistent balance and feel across all the XPS Mk II wing sizes.
Grip
Performance is comfortable.
The XPS Mk II handles and boom achieve a Goldilocks-like grip by way of a carbon fiber core wrapped in textured EVA. Just the right thickness for feedback and comfort for long sessions.
Features
- Airframe: Precisely engineered for stability and upwind speed with the durability to take on real-world abuse.
- Cross Panel Sail Design: Greatly reduces sail distortion, improves frame rigidity, and packs in more power.
- Dyna-Link Handle System: Choose separate handles or a boom with quick and easy assembly, no hardware required.
- Trailing Edge Battens: Minimizes canopy flutter and provides easy tuning for varying wind strengths.
- Windows: Horizontal visibility for safety that’s lightweight, exceptionally clear, and won’t yellow or crack over time.
The new A-Wing XPS Mk II is available in ten sizes: 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5m2