Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Airbus, school research accord seen

MOBILE, Ala. -- Airbus Americas Engineering is interested in working with the University of South Alabama's research division. That's according to university officials after returning home following last week's visits to Airbus in Germany and France. Airbus is particularly interested in the school's work in cybersecurity and composites, officials said. The delegation included Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, who is on the board of trustees, and David Trent, site director for Airbus Americas Mobile Engineering office. They visited with Airbus executives in Toulouse, France, and in Munich, Germany. Airbus is building an A320 final assembly line in Mobile that will open in 2015 and produce its first plane in 2016. (Source: al.com, 10/15/14) Related: Airbus and researchers at MIT are developing shape-shifting materials that could make aircraft simpler and lighter, potentially saving fuel. (Story)