The NRC's Aerospace Research Centre is a pillar of Canada's aerospace industry, with a track record of successful collaborations with Canadian and international organizations.
We have 200+ active partnerships with industrial partners, universities, other government departments, and international research and technology organizations. Our unique facilities help our clients overcome their product development and certification challenges, and our 350+ aerospace researchers have core expertise in aerodynamics, propulsion, flight research, icing, manufacturing, and structures and materials performance.
To position Canada's aerospace industry for success in new aerospace markets, we are investing in emerging technologies like autonomous air mobility, digital twin, disruptive architectures, and additive/subtractive manufacturing.
Services and information
Research programs
Applications and tools
Industrial R&D groups
Facilities
- 0.9 m wind tunnel
- 1.5 m trisonic wind tunnel
- 2 m x 3 m wind tunnel
- 3 m x 6 m propulsion icing wind tunnel
- 9 m wind tunnel
- Aerospace manufacturing technologies centre
- Aircraft noise reduction facility
- Altitude icing wind tunnel
- Centre for Air Travel Research
- Engine icing facilities
- Gas turbine research facilities
- Global Aerospace Centre of Icing and Environmental Research (GLACIER)
- Large electrodynamic shaker
- Materials and structures testing facilities
- Research aircraft fleet
- Reverberant acoustic chamber
- Structural full-scale testing
- Structural integrity and non-destructive evaluation
Expertise
Strategic client services
Technical and advisory services
- Advanced material removal technologies
- Aeroacoustics measurement, testing and evaluation
- Aerospace structures and materials performance
- Alternative fuels research
- Automation, robotics and intelligent manufacturing systems
- Combustor and fuel nozzle development and evaluation
- Composite structures development, manufacturing, and performance
- Military flight data recorder and playback centre
- Flight test and evaluation
- Flight vehicle aerodynamics
- Gas turbine engine certification
- Gas turbine engine research
- Ground vehicle and ground-based structures aerodynamics
- Hyperspectral imaging technologies
- Icing formation, detection and mitigation
- Mechanical components and tribology
- Metal joining and forming
- Sports aerodynamics
- Structural health monitoring technologies
Technology licensing
- 2D morphogenetic icing code
- Advanced NDI (non-destructive inspection) technologies for manufacturing and MRO
- Bell 412 flight model data package (that meets the requirements for FAA level D simulation)
- Continuous resistance welding of thermoplastic composites
- Erosion-resistant coatings
- Frequency selective response type control system
- High-accuracy, high-efficiency conductive heating technology for integral mould tool heating, bonded assembly of composite structure, and bonded repair of composite structure
- Ice crystal sensor technologies
Why work with us
The NRC's Aerospace Research Centre has facilities with unique testing capabilities. Our team of experts works with partners around the world to de-risk product development for aerospace companies. We conduct research to help the Canadian Armed Forces overcome technical challenges and meet operational goals, and deliver scientific excellence to support Canada's aerospace regulators' need to make informed decisions.
We also recognize the importance of collaboration in delivering impact to our clients. With our longstanding presence in the aerospace community, we are well positioned to forge new and strategic partnerships with all types of stakeholders. We have active partnerships with academia, industry, other government departments, and international research and technology organizations. Moreover, we are one of the 14 research centres that make up Canada's largest science and research organization: the NRC. This offers our clients a unique multidisciplinary advantage to overcome complex technological challenges in new innovation areas such as autonomous and electric flight. Our collaborations facilitate the exchange of ideas that helps catalyze advancements that are necessary to deliver research excellence and/or innovative technology solutions. It's a big part of what makes the Aerospace Research Centre an ideal partner for your organization.
Contact us
Business Development Team
Aerospace Research Centre
Email: nrc.aerobdt-edaaero.cnrc@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Our experts
Related links
- Discover the NRC’s Aerospace Research Centre
- North American nations mark milestones, plan future collaborations
- Advisory Board members
- The NRC's break in the clouds with drone detection tool
- Centre for Air Travel Research: One location. Infinite possibilities
- The NRC's 9 metre wind tunnel turns 50!
- Bridging the gap of weather‑testing stay cables
- Nanotube‑based skins make morphing wing technology soar
- Charles Vidal receives 2020 Pip Rudkin Individual Achievement Award
- Gas turbine research facility virtual tour
Research publications
- Linear friction welding of abrasion resistant CPM 15V tool steel to an alloyed carbon shovel-tooth steel
- Machine learning-driven process of alumina ceramics laser machining
- Transport Canada/LookNorth detect and avoid flight trials 2020/2021
- Lifetime learning-enabled modelling framework for digital twin
- Multivariable characterization of atmospheric environment with data collected in flight