smn coverage in today's australian

The story, in part reads....
Aussies clean up as Airbus drawn in to vacuum technology deal
Steve Creedy
03jun05

AUSTRALIAN technology that could significantly reduce aircraft maintenance and manufacturing costs has taken a big leap forward with a joint development agreement involving European manufacturer Airbus.

Perth-based Structural Monitoring Systems confirmed yesterday that it had signed the agreement to develop its patented Comparative Vacuum Monitoring (CVM) technology for use on new and existing Airbus aircraft.
Airbus wants to develop the technology to cut maintenance costs on operating planes and allow it to introduce new manufacturing techniques that will reduce aircraft weight.

The agreement to develop an in-flight structural health monitoring system includes licensing deals that potentially could return tens of millions of dollars to the company.

"We've had a relationship with Airbus going back to 2001 and this is really the culmination of a lot of hard work on both sides to get the technology to the point where people are confident enough to develop it for in-service use," SMS chief executive Mark Vellacott said.

.... "That actually opens up a whole range of opportunities for us, not only the civil sector but in the military sector as well."

For the full story go to:-
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/printpage/0,5942,15487660,00.html