 | ||||
|
EADS expands its U.S. engineering research support with $200,000 provided to the University of Alabama and Georgia Institute of Technology
Arlington, Virginia, May 24, 2007
These new programs build on the $300,000 previously contributed by EADS to Stanford University and the Georgia Institute of Technology
EADS’ backing of advanced aerospace research at U.S. universities and colleges has been further expanded with $200,000 in funding to support technological development for EADS North America’s Fairchild Controls Corporation subsidiary.
The new contributions of $100,000 each for the University of Alabama, Huntsville and Georgia Institute of Technology cover 12-month research activities, with options for additional year-long grants of the same amount based on study work achievements. Fairchild Controls is investing its own resources – matching these cash contributions nearly dollar-for-dollar in technical and administrative support from the company.
EADS’ grant for the University of Alabama supports evaluations for the next generation of high-power airborne electronics, while the Georgia Institute of Technology’s activity focuses on prognostics and diagnostics for environmental control units used on aircraft and military ground vehicles.
“This advanced aerospace research is a win-win situation for everyone – it provides highly valuable contacts between our engineers and universities, helps our company advance its own capabilities, and prepares the students of today to become industry managers of the future,” explained Fairchild Controls President Scott Selle. “We also build relationships that enable us to recruit new employees from two of this country’s best engineering schools.”
Studies at the University of Alabama are evaluating technical solutions in the emerging field of high-power electronics as the industry increasingly moves toward electronic-based power sources aboard aircraft.
The University of Alabama was chosen for the work based on this school’s advanced research capabilities. In addition, the city of Mobile, Alabama is home to EADS CASA North America’s expanding aircraft support and delivery center, and is the site of Airbus’ newest U.S. engineering facility. In addition, Mobile has been chosen as the industrial location for the KC-30 Tanker, which is being proposed to the U.S. Air Force by Northrop Grumman with EADS North America as its principal subcontractor.
Funding for the Georgia Institute of Technology is developing prognostics and diagnostics modules for the environmental control units that provide air conditioning and pressurization aboard aircraft and on ground combat vehicles. These studies will enable preventive and just-in-time maintenance, and improve logistics support for environmental control systems. The Georgia Institute of Technology was selected because of its prognostics and diagnostics expertise.
The EADS funding of aerospace research at U.S. universities and colleges is coordinated through the company’s Chief Technical Office. Its previous contributions of over $300,000 have been provided to professors and departments at Stanford University and the Georgia Institute of Technology that are recognized for excellence in design, computer modeling and the application of new materials.
About Fairchild Controls Corporation (www.fairchildcontrols.com)
Fairchild Controls Corporation designs and manufactures air turbine drives and environmental controls for military and commercial applications. These air turbine drives – which supply additional hydraulic power during periods of peak demand – are used on aircraft such as the 747, 767-400 and C-130. Applications for Fairchild Control’s cooling systems include externally mounted aircraft pods that carry targeting, navigation, reconnaissance, and electronic countermeasure systems for U.S. and foreign military services. The company is headquartered in Frederick, Maryland.
About EADS North America (www.eadsnorthamerica.com)
EADS North America is the North American operations of EADS, the second largest aerospace and defense company in the world. As a leader in all sectors of defense and homeland security, EADS North America and its parent company, EADS, contribute over $10 billion to the U.S. economy annually and support more than 190,000 American jobs through its network of suppliers and services. With 12 operating companies located in 30 cities and 17 states, EADS North America offers a broad array of advanced solutions to its customers in the commercial, homeland security, aerospace and defense markets.
