obtained from Raytheon Aircraft Company and located at its manufacturing campus in Wichita, Kan. The new operation will be called the Aircraft Structural Testing and Evaluation Center.

"With these additional substantial testing facilities, the National Institute for Aviation Research strengthens its structural testing lab capabilities so we can now offer expanded services to the leading aviation manufacturers and designers from around the world who utilize our qualified research team," said John Tomblin, executive director of the National Institute for Aviation Research.

"I appreciate Raytheon Aircraft's enterprising approach to achieving full utilization of these aerospace testing facilities while fortifying the R&D capabilities of the institute," he added.

The innovative arrangement will permit the Institute to utilize the former Raytheon structural fatigue testing facilities to accomplish proprietary work for any aircraft manufacturer or designer, including Raytheon competitors. The Institute will continue to offer services to the aerospace industry while providing individual companies with competitive security.

"The National Institute for Aviation Research has performed laboratory research for many distinguished aerospace manufacturers, aircraft designers and government agencies, and these added facilities and equipment will permit our business to grow even further," Dr. Tomblin said.

Included in the structural fatigue testing lab facilities are 46,000 square feet of hangar space, access to an 8,000-foot runway, approximately $10 million in reliable test facilities and numerous skilled technicians to operate the equipment. The Institute will relocate its Aging Aircraft Research Laboratory to the new fatigue test facility.