The National Research Council of Canada and Airbus renew research and technology cooperation agreement

FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom –  The National Research Council of Canada(NRC) and Airbus have renewed their framework agreement on research and technology cooperation. This new five-year agreement builds on a long-standing relationship between the two organisations to cooperate on research and technology development which spans more than 30 years. The NRC-Airbus agreement will cover a wide range of technical subjects and technologies.

Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. The company has been present in Canada for over 33 years and employs 2,000 Canadians.

Recently, Airbus identified Canada as its “fifth country” for research and technology developments in the areas of drones and urban mobility.

“This renewed framework agreement further strengthens the NRC’s long-standing strategic research and technology development relationship with a world-leading aerospace and defence company,” said Iain Stewart, President of National Research Council of Canada. “With expertise across a wide range of disciplines, the NRC is well-positioned to partner with Airbus on the transformative technologies like advanced manufacturing and autonomous mobility that will reshape the aerospace industry over the next several years.”

“We are extremely pleased to continue our fruitful cooperation with the NRC,” said Grazia Vittadini, CTO of Airbus. “This is a logical step after the first agreement we signed 10 years ago to work jointly on research and technology. Renewing this agreement strengthens Airbus’ already prominent relationship with the Canadian industry and is all the more fitting with the recent decision to set up a dedicated Airbus commercial aircraft presence in Mirabel for the A220 airliner programme.”

The National Research Council (NRC) is the Government of Canada’s largest research organization supporting industrial innovation, the advancement of knowledge and technology development, and fulfilling government mandates.Through its aerospace research facilities in Ottawa and Montreal, Canada, the NRC advances and demonstrates modern aerospace technologies that can potentially reduce costs while maintaining high levels of quality, reliability and performance.

Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2017 it generated revenues of € 59 billion restated for IFRS 15 and employed a workforce of around 129,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world’s leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.