Airbus looking for further Australian technology initiatives

Airbus and Australia’s leading composites research institution the Cooperative Research Centre for Advanced Composite Structures (CRC-ACS) have extended a research agreement in the field of aircraft composite technology.

The agreement is part of Airbus’ wider initiative to seek out the best ideas, talented people and the most capable technology research partners to work with around the world.

“There is a lot of excellent research being done close to our traditional home in Europe, but investment in science and technology is increasing rapidly on other continents’ says Dale King, Airbus Senior Manager for International R&T Partnerships.

‘We aim to seek out innovation and new technology solutions to complement our existing capabilities by building a long term partnership with the world’s best players.”

Close collaboration with Australia has been built up over the last 15 years. The relationship with CRC-ACS has been more recently extended, allowing the training of some direct entry graduates from the UK, with five Airbus engineers having had six-month placements in Australia since 2008.

CRC-ACS also provides Airbus with a quarterly report on Australian aerospace news and technology, as part of Airbus’ global review of technology opportunities.

Recent research initiatives have focused on the development of the CRC-ACS technology called Thermoset Composite Welding (TCW), which could make dramatic cost reductions in aircraft assembly. This major technology is directed towards future aircraft utilising composite materials.

Airbus in collaboration with CRC-ACS is also examining techniques for structural health monitoring, and application of sustainable bio-sourced materials to aircraft.

In 2010, Airbus through EADS Australia Pacific became a full participant of CRC-ACS, as part of their successful bid to extend their public-private funded programme up to mid 2015. The new program has a strong international flavour extending its reach to European and Asian partners. As the intended principal end user, Airbus’ prime interest is in the rapid assembly via TCW technology. The project aims to mature the new processes for aircraft program readiness.

Over the last 15 years Airbus has co-operated on 30 projects with Australian partners.

Looking to the future Airbus continues to be active in its efforts to seek out new opportunities for cooperation with Australian innovators.