Contact: Bob Ratliff
Mississippi State University's Research and Technology Corp. is a new associate member of the Rotorcraft Industry Technology Association.
A Connecticut-based non-profit organization, RITA promotes the interests of American rotorcraft manufacturers. Rotorcraft include helicopters and other vertical take-off and landing--VTOL--craft.
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Boeing Helicopters Division and Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. are RITA's principal members. Georgia Institute of Technology, Pennsylvania State University, and the universities of Maryland and Illinois at Chicago are among other associate members.
Established in 1998, the MSU Research and Technology Corp. facilitates relationships between the university and its industrial affiliates.
"With commercial aviation approaching gridlock and new and larger airports coming with huge price tags, we believe VTOL aviation technology and operations are going to be critical to the U.S. air transportation system this century," said Robert King.
King, an assistant professor of aerospace engineering, said Mississippi State has a history of rotorcraft research. During the 1960s, the university's Raspet Flight Research Laboratory tested a variety of helicopter components. Currently, the laboratory is supporting DuPont Aerospace in developing a vertical take-off jet.
Other ongoing research projects involve advanced composite material research and testing, computer-controlled manufacturing, aircraft development and flight testing.
"The Raspet Lab has the resources and personnel to play a significant role in research for a new generation of vertical and short take-off aircraft," King said. "Becoming a part of RITA is critical to a successful program."
King said RITA's mission is "to sponsor innovative research to ensure continued superiority of U.S. military rotorcraft while also strengthening the U.S. industry's ability to compete in the global market."