The programme was launched in a ceremony bringing together participants from 7 countries and representatives of Senator the Hon. Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science & Research, Australia.
“The level of international engagement is outstanding, and demonstrates that our research and development programme is truly world class”, noted Professor Murray Scott, CRC-ACS CEO. This extension of the CRC-ACS is supported by A$14 million from the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centre Programme, and over A$50 million in cash and in-kind support from 28 participating organisations. There is a high level of international participation in the extension as 9 of the 28 participants are located outside Australia.
The new CRC-ACS programme commenced on 1 July 2010, with development of technology focusing on key areas of aerospace, defence, and oil and gas.
Aerospace and defence
Murray Scott believes in the role of technology development and international engagement in securing Australia’s future aerospace and defence industry.
“It is clear that Australia views a healthy local aerospace and defence industry as a key part of its future prosperity, and Australia is winning major contracts in civil and defence aerospace. CRC-ACS has had a pivotal role in technology development for this industry. We are now moving through an exciting new phase, where Australian industry is working directly with international organisations in a research programme focussed on Australia. I am delighted that during the period of the Australian International Airshow, representatives of Airbus, Cassidian Air Systems and the German Aerospace Center have joined us to formally launch the CRC-ACS Extension Program. By making these international connections, and focusing international attention on Australian technology, we can be a significant player in future aerospace and defence industry opportunities.” “At the same time, some of the most exciting developments in composites technology will occur outside aerospace, as our engineers increase their focus on the construction, maintenance and rehabilitation of major infrastructure. The engagement of PETRONAS in adopting and implementing composites technology in the Oil & Gas sector is an exceptional opportunity for CRC-ACS to show the ingenuity and value of Australian technology development, and I am very pleased to host our guests from Malaysia during our launch and annual meeting.” The international business and research organisations will collaborate with Australian universities, the Defence Science & Technology Organisation (DSTO), as well as a range of smaller Australian businesses. Additional organisations will be invited to join the research programme.
| Advanced Composite Structures Australia Pty Ltd Australian Industry and Defence Network Inc. Australian Institute for Commercialisation Bishop GmbH Brenco Aerospace Pty Ltd Composites Australia Inc. Composites Innovation Centre Manitoba Inc. Defence Science and Technology Organisation Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. EADS Australia Pacific Pty Ltd Monash University MSC.Software Australia Pty Ltd Pacific Engineering Systems International Pty Ltd PETRONAS Research Sdn Bhd Piber Plastics Pty Ltd Plasmate JSC Regina Glass Fibre Pty Ltd RMIT University Specialty Coatings (Aust) Pty Ltd Structural Monitoring Systems Ltd Unique Solution Partners Pty Ltd University of Auckland University of Bordeaux University of New South Wales University of Newcastle upon Tyne University of Queensland University of Southern Queensland University of Sydney |
