MTS Leading Edge Materials Testing Capabilities Drive Advances In U.S. Air Force's Aircraft Design

EDEN PRAIRIE, MN, April 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- MTS Systems Corporation (NASDAQ: MTSC), a leading global supplier of high-performance test systems and sensors, has strengthened its global reputation as the industry leader in materials and structures testing for mission critical purposes. Through application of its comprehensive materials test technology, MTS is playing an integral part in the development of future military and commercial aircraft by ensuring the optimal performance of critical materials in the most challenging environments.

MTS is currently completing a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the United States Air Force, and is working directly with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to develop and demonstrate new, advanced materials testing technologies. The research activity being undertaken with AFRL is focused on testing the mechanical properties of materials to be employed in highly advanced aircraft jet engines. Jet engine materials, such as ceramic matrix composites, high temperature metals, and carbon fiber composites, are subjected to extremely high temperatures, reaching up to 1500°C, and high stress conditions. Since fuel efficiency and performance increase with engine temperatures, new materials that can endure these temperatures must be thoroughly tested before they are used in the engines. The testing of these materials ensures safety, reliability and improved performance.

Established in 1997, AFRL is engaged in the development and application of innovative technologies relating to air, space and cyber defense. Through cooperation with MTS, AFRL's Materials and Manufacturing Directorate is able to acquire highly accurate and unique test data for newly developed materials in the most challenging temperature environments. AFRL and similar aerospace organizations use this data to design and validate new aerospace systems, develop new materials and processes, and feed complex computer simulations.

"MTS has been working closely with AFRL, as well as its predecessor organizations, for decades to help advance aerospace system technologies for national defence applications.  We've provided AFRL with the test hardware and software that their research teams need to push the boundaries of aerospace engineering," said Dr. Jeffrey Graves, Chief Executive Officer and President of MTS. "This latest project is one that we are very proud to be participating in, as it has applications that will benefit the entire US aerospace and defense industry. Through the use of our industry-leading test expertise and proven technology leadership, the AFRL staff is able to conduct the research required to allow jet engines and other aircraft systems to run under more extreme operating conditions, dramatically increasing fuel efficiency and overall system performance."

About MTS Systems Corporation

MTS Systems Corporation's testing hardware, software and services solutions help customers accelerate and improve their design, development and manufacturing processes and are used for determining the mechanical behavior of materials, products and structures. MTS's high-performance sensors provide controls for a variety of applications measuring motion, pressure, position, force and sound. MTS had 3,500 employees as of October 1, 2016 and revenue of $650 million for the fiscal year ended October 1, 2016. Additional information on MTS can be found at www.mts.com.

About the AFRL 

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) was formed in October 1997, through the consolidation of 4 former Air Force laboratories and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. Headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, in Ohio, it has a staff of 10,000 military and civilian personnel, and is responsible for managing an annual budget of over $4 billion. For more information go to http://www.af.mil

SOURCE MTS Systems Corporation

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