The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] is making investments with Dalhousie University to support research and development projects to strengthen the aerospace industry’s capabilities and competitiveness in Canada and globally.

“The research community at Dalhousie values our relationships with the private sector, not only for the advancement of knowledge but also for commercial applications that improve quality of life and create good jobs,” said Dalhousie Vice President of Research Martha Crago. “Our Boeing relationship will be mutually beneficial and increase the amount of world-class R&D being performed in Halifax.”  The projects include:

• Advanced Materials Development — using computer modeling and other techniques for developing alloys and coatings to improve the durability and the wear- and corrosion-resistance of aluminum, titanium and steel aircraft parts.
• Mobile Graphics — exploring unconventional approaches for using mobile devices and capabilities such as smartphones, tablet computers and projection systems to access 3-D engineering drawings, instructional materials and technical manuals in order to improve the productivity of manufacturing and maintenance technicians.
• Visual and Text Analytics — developing sophisticated visual tools and techniques to more efficiently analyze large quantities of text data. Examples of potential aerospace industry applications range from aviation safety reports to maintenance manuals to industrial safety.

“These projects with Dalhousie University continue Boeing’s strong history of partnership with the Canadian academic community to conduct research that will help improve aerospace capabilities and strengthen Canadian industrial competitiveness for continued growth,” said Susan Colegrove, regional director of International Strategic Partnerships for Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

The investments are in line with Canada’s Industrial & Regional Benefits (IRB) policy and are an integral part of Boeing’s IRB programs in Canada. Canada’s IRB policy requires prime contractors such as Boeing to make investments in the Canadian economy as a result of winning defense and security contracts with the government of Canada. Boeing has four active IRB programs tied to the purchase and sustainment of four C-17 airlifters, designated CC-177 for Canadian Forces; the procurement of ScanEagle unmanned aircraft system services; and the purchase of 15 CH-47F Chinook medium-to-heavy-lift rotorcraft, designated CH-147 for Canadian Forces.

“The procurement of military equipment ensures our men and women in uniform have the capabilities they need to do the jobs asked of them, allowing them to defend this great land of ours,” said Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. “Our government also insists on using these necessary procurements to build the Canadian economy and invest in Canadian institutions. I’m proud that Nova Scotia’s universities are benefiting from these decisions.”

Boeing has been a major contributor to the Canadian economy since 1919, generating approximately US$1 billion in business annually. The company employs highly skilled workers in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia in support of its commercial and defense business units. Canada also is home to one of Boeing’s largest international supplier bases, with more than 200 major suppliers in every region of the country, providing a diverse mix of high-value goods and services to Boeing and its customers.

Boeing Research & Technology, the company’s advanced research, technology and innovation organization, collaborates with Boeing business units, customers, suppliers, universities, and other research-and-development agencies throughout the world to provide a broad base of innovative and affordable technologies for current and future aviation systems and services.