Airbus is proud to announce the establishment of a Research and Technology Framework Agreement with Australia's Cooperative Research Centre for Advanced Composite Structures Limited (CRC-ACS) based in Melbourne, Victoria.

This Agreement follows Airbus' successful ten-year working relationship with CRC-ACS and will further cement the excellent relationship on a more substantial strategic partnership basis. This agreement will facilitate the establishment of further joint technology projects with CRC-ACS in the future.

To further strengthen this important relationship, Airbus and CRC-ACS will establish a joint Steering Group that will involve research partnership managers from Airbus' Engineering Department which will work directly with the CRC-ACS management team headed by Professor Murray Scott, a major international figure in the world of composite structures technology and Chief Executive Officer of the CRC-ACS.

In establishing this strategic partnership, Professor Scott said that "CRC-ACS is very serious in the quest for lighter, cheaper and more advanced composite structures and processes, and with our strong relationship with Airbus, I know that our two organizations will go from strength to strength in achieving these goals."

"Continued development of advanced composite technology is of major importance for us as a business" said Airbus' Executive Vice President, Alain Garcia. "The CRC-ACS possesses world-class expertise of value to Airbus in the fields of manufacturing, numerical modelling, health monitoring and design. In particular, the CRC-ACS has developed assembly technologies through which there is potential for weight and cost savings associated with applications of these technologies to composite wing, fuselage and other structures."

Mr Garcia added, "Our search for research partners around the world continues to find the best technologies to ensure the continued successful evolution of our products."

Airbus has a long tradition of introducing innovative new technology onto its products to satisfy our customer’s needs. Innovation has always been a cornerstone of Airbus' success - the company has a long record of pioneering new technology in a careful and evolutionary way to ensure better aircraft performance, lower operating costs, easier handling and greater comfort. Airbus has always led the industry in the use of composites and the A380 embodies this innovating tradition, with increased use planned for the A350 program, with an array of new technologies for materials, processes, systems and engines being developed, tested and adopted. Every new technology is closely studied to determine its effects over the lifetime of the aircraft and is chosen for its proven maturity and long-term advantages.

About CRC-ACS
The Cooperative Research Centre for Advanced Composite Structures Limited (CRC-ACS) was founded in 1991 and incorporates university, industry and government research laboratory personnel to provide a focused expertise in polymer composites research. Its primary aim is to provide a focus for the development of advanced technologies that will foster the growth of an efficient, globally competitive, Australian composites industry. This is achieved by conducting research and development programs into the design, manufacture, testing, durability and supportability of advanced composite structures. The CRC-ACS also has a substantial education program, with frequent industry seminars and short courses offered to the engineering community.

About Airbus
Airbus is an EADS joint company with BAE Systems. Airbus' mission is to meet the needs of airlines and operators by producing the most modern and comprehensive aircraft family on the market, complemented by the highest standard of product support. Airbus provides the aircraft best suited to the market's needs and to support these aircraft with the highest quality of service. The Airbus product line comprises 12 aircraft models, from the 100-seat single-aisle A318 jetliner to the 555-seat A380 - which will be the largest civil airliner ever when it enters service in 2006.

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