Smart Rotor Systems licenses NRC vibration suppression technology

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and Smart Rotor Systems Inc. (SRS) announced today their agreement for SRS to use a NRC-patented structural component designed to control vibrations in helicopter rotors and aircraft wings.

Ottawa-based Smart Rotor Systems Inc. (SRS) specializes in innovative vibration and noise control technology for the rotorcraft market. SRS intends to lead the helicopter market toward a new solution for simultaneous noise and vibration control.

Developed by the NRC Institute for Aerospace Research (NRC Aerospace) in Ottawa, this technology will increase forward flight speed, reduce operational costs, and allow for lighter, longer-lasting components. It will also increase maintenance intervals and reduce the incidence of vibration-induced back pain, which can shorten a pilot's service time.

"One of the top objectives of NRC Aerospace is to contribute its R&D expertise to small and medium-sized enterprises," says Jerzy Komorowski, Director General of NRC Aerospace. "Smart Rotor Systems already has a track record for such innovations and is an ideal candidate to develop this one further."

"We are very pleased to partner with NRC in licensing this technology," says Kostyantyn Khomutov, Chief Executive Officer of Smart Rotor Systems Inc. "Combined with our own innovations, it will help us quickly enter an international market worth US$15 billion annually where some 2,000 helicopters are sold each year. We intend to have the first serial production helicopter equipped with this technology and ready for test flight by 2012."