Airbus SAS

Airbus Signs Another R&T Agreement to Grow Activities in the U.S.

Airbus today expanded its Research and Technology (R&T) activities in the U.S. with the signing of a six-year renewal agreement with the National Institute of Aerospace (NIA) headquartered in Hampton, VA. The agreement follows successful completion of a previous six-year agreement which saw the distribution of more than $6 million in R&T grants to support work from more than 50 researchers from universities in the U.S., including: Virginia Tech; Georgia Tech; University of Maryland; North Carolina State University; and University of Virginia among others.

“The National Institute of Aerospace is a natural hub for facilitating research teams in U.S. universities,” said Dale King, Senior Manager of International R&T Partnerships at Airbus. “We’ve been very successful over the past six years with a series of projects at major universities with a wide variety of technical scope. Airbus is very pleased to continue this relationship for another six years.” 

”Airbus has been an important sponsor of aeronautics research at our institute,” said Dr. Robert Lindberg, NIA President and Executive Director. “This renewal agreement will support important new aircraft and aviation research that will make flying cleaner, quieter, safer and more economical.” 

Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Jim Cheng was in attendance at the signing ceremony and remarked, “Airbus continues to be a strong corporate partner with Virginia. Not only do they have their U.S. headquarters in Virginia, they are investing in our colleges and universities in order to grow innovation and technology in the Commonwealth.”

This agreement follows another recent R&T announcement with the National Composite Center in Dayton, OH. Airbus signed an agreement in January announcing the establishment of a new aerospace research and development consortium with an initial investment of $1 million.