The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) today signed a five-year collaborative research agreement with Aerolia, a subsidiary of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space (EADS) Company, to conduct research and development activities in the areas of advanced machining and various metallic and composite technologies. This agreement builds on almost 25 years of research collaboration between NRC and EADS and its subsidiaries.

“We have developed a critical mass of leading-edge expertise in the latest aerospace manufacturing technologies required for the development of next generation aircraft and their promise of maximum performance at minimum cost,” said John R. McDougall, president of the National Research Council of Canada. “This collaborative research agreement with Aerolia will harness this expertise, turn research and development needs and ideas into technology-based solutions, and help enhance Canada's aerospace position on the world stage.”

"This framework agreement will give us the ability to get the best from NRC's expertise and will ensure long-term collaboration for the main benefit of Aerolia Canada" highlights Christian Cornille, CEO of AEROLIA. Furthermore, Jean Botti, CTO of EADS insists on: “the importance of innovation within EADS, from which Aerolia benefited in Europe”. He then declares: “we're confident that this extended cooperation will be largely beneficial to Aerolia in Canada and all its suppliers, existing and to come”.

NRC, through its aerospace research facility in Montreal, advances and demonstrates modern aerospace manufacturing technologies that can potentially reduce costs while maintaining high levels of quality, reliability and performance. NRC's efforts to help industry implement advanced, cost-effective manufacturing methods for the aerospace industry have focused, in large part, on the transition to next-generation manufacturing.

Aerolia Canada recently announced that it will build its headquarters in the Montreal area, along with a plant where they will assemble centre fuselages (aircraft's main pressurized structures) for Bombardier's Global 7000 and Global 8000 passenger jets.