Airbus, SA in research deal
22 September 2006
South Africa and European aviation firm Airbus are to co-operate in a research and technology initiative which aims to identify and develop new advanced applications for the global aerospace industry.
Pilot projects already identified in the global Airbus co-operation strategy with South Africa include research into the development and application of synthetic fuels, natural fibres and light alloys component technologies.
Airbus will also contribute to skills development in South Africa by forging closer links between industry and research institutions in order to foster student and graduate exchange programmes.
The partnership was signed by Airbus and SA's Department of Science and Technology in Cape Town on Thursday.
Speaking at the 2006 Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition in Cape Town, the department's director-general, Phil Mjwara, described the agreement as "vital in safeguarding and developing South Africa's competence in the various fields associated with aerospace and aeronautics."
Airbus in South Africa
Airbus is a long-standing supplier of jetliners to South African Airways, which currently operates a mixed fleet of 29 modern Airbus products, comprising A340-200, A340-300 and A340-600 long-range aircraft on its international routes and A319s on its regional/domestic network.
South Africa joined the Airbus A400M airlifter programme as a partner in 2005, signing a contract to acquire eight Airbus A400M airlifters to modernise and enhance the airlift capability of the SA Air Force.
"South African industry, represented by Denel and Aerosud as level one suppliers, have substantial responsibility in design, manufacture and support of every A400M delivered around the world," Airbus said in a statement on Thursday.
In June, SA aerospace and defence firm Denel delivered the first fuselage top-shells (roof sections) to Airbus's facility in Bremen, Germany, where they have since been incorporated into the centre fuselage section of the first aircraft.
Pretoria-based Aerosud produces avionics bay racks, wing components and galleys for Airbus's A320 Family of single-aisle twin-engined jetliners and a variety of components for the A400M.
To date, Airbus Military has received orders for 192 A400M aircraft from nine countries. The first aircraft is scheduled to fly in January 2008, with first deliveries to start in the last quarter 2009.
The South African Air Force will receive its eight A400M aircraft between 2010 and 2012.
Airbus, an EADS joint company with BAE Systems, is headquartered in France with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the US, China, Japan and the Middle East.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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