PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

25-Mar-2014

Contact: Jeff Stensland stenslan@mailbox.sc.edu 803-777-3686 University of South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.CThe Ronald E. McNair Center for Aerospace Innovation and Research, a University of South Carolina center, announced a formal research partnership with Fokker Aerostructures, a subsidiary of Dutch-based Fokker Technologies, to support and inspire their development of next-generation aircraft technology.

The multi-year research agreement establishes a framework to collaborate on projects that meet the needs of Fokker Aerostructures and its customers. Specific project details are being finalized, and likely will involve the development of advanced manufacturing technology for thermoplastic composites, using Digital Image Correlation to better understand failure mechanisms and certification strategies for the use of new advanced composite structures.

Fokker is a leading global aerospace specialist that delivers smart, integrated, economic solutions that offer technology benefits in terms of cost, weight and availability. This is the company's first partnership with an American university research center.

The McNair Center, which opened in 2011, has 27 contributing researchers working in a wide range of aerospace related research fields. The goal of the partnership is to develop and commercialize new technology, processes and methods and take products to market through licensing agreements.

Richard Cobben, vice president technology and Rob Kruithof, director of global Engineering for Fokker Aerostructures, say two things attracted the company to McNairgeography and existing research expertise.

"South Carolina is an interesting environment because there are so many aeronautics companies located nearby, such as Gulfstream, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Cessna and Honda jet, and many of their suppliers. McNair is situated in the center of all of that activity," Cobben said. "Although the McNair Center is new, it's clear that they bring to the table a lot of experience in different fields. We're always looking to find the best knowledge networksthat's our lifeline."

In addition to the research agreement, Fokker Aerostructures will join the McNair Center's Strategic Advisory Board, which is chartered to help build and validate McNair's future research roadmaps.

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UofSC's McNair Center partners with Fokker Technologies for aerospace research