The AVIC-CAE, NLR and DNW Sign MoA on Research Cooperation During Paris Air Show

AMSTERDAM, June 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

On the 21st of June at 11.00 the Chinese Aeronautical Establishment (CAE) will sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for long term cooperation in Research & Development with the National Aerospace Laboratory (NLR) from the Netherlands and the German Dutch Wind Tunnels (DNW).

Under these MoAs the organizations will work together on existing and future R&D projects, in order to support subsidiaries of AVIC and CAE with R&D, strengthen the relation between European and Chinese research projects or work together on new developments. CAE is part of the China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC).

Topics of cooperation are a perfect fit with the knowledge base of NLR and DNW and include: aerodynamic research, design and testing, manufacturing with advanced materials like composites, certification, avionics and air traffic management.

The MoAs were signed by Prof.Dr. Zhang Xinguo (President of CAE), Michel Peters (CEO of NLR) and Georg Eitelberg (Director of DNW).

Zhang Xinguo, President of CAE, also EVP of AVIC: "The Chinese civil aviation sector has experienced and will still keep two digits development rate, presenting great market opportunities. On the other hand the world attention on green aviation raised now challenges for research and innovation. This MoA, as part of the follow up of the visit AVIC/CAE delegation headed by Prof. Dr. Lin Zuoming, the President of AVIC to the European research organizations in March, will make substantial progress for future Europe-China aeronautical cooperation."

Michel Peters, CEO of NLR: "The aeronautical research community is a global community. Our partners from China are playing a more and more important role in the globalized aerospace industry. The research and developments for the future are not restricted within the boundaries of a state or a continent. NLR is very pleased to sign this MoA because this cooperation provides NLR and the Dutch aviation industry an excellent opportunity to join the developments in China."

CAE, founded in 1960, is a national aeronautical research organization in China under AVIC, with over 10.000 researchers and a global network with organizations for basic and applied research, such as universities and organizations like NLR and DNW. Composed of 36 research institutes and centres, CAE is responsible from basic research up to product development; innovation, integration and demonstration; construction and operation of national research facilities; aeronautical research foundation and graduate education.

NLR, the organization for applied Aerospace Research & Development in the Netherlands, is a not-for-profit impartial research enterprise, founded in 1919. NLR has a long track record and experience in aeronautical research & development and supports primarily the Dutch aerospace industry and government with innovative solutions in all aspects from aircraft design, manufacturing, usage and air traffic management. NLR supports most aircraft manufacturers around the world and has the ambition to further expand their global partnerships.

SOURCE National Aerospace Laboratory (NLR)