Boeing has announced plans to construct a new 1,600 crore ($200 million) research and development facility in Bangalore. With a workforce expected to increase by 25% over the next few years, the new facility’s 43-acre complex will concentrate on engineering capacity.
Boeing Research and Development
Boeing announced plans to construct a new research and development facility in Bangalore, India’s technology powerhouse, last week. As the American aircraft manufacturer ramps up research in several important disciplines, the $200 million investment will accommodate thousands of engineers and other workers. The new facility will play a significant role in eVTOL (electric, vertical, takeoff, and landing) vehicle research and meeting Boeing’s environmental objective of reaching net zero emissions by 2050.
Notably, Boeing’s new R&D site is its largest outside the US; previously, the company has concentrated its facilities there. The choice demonstrates India’s importance to the planemaker as a significant commercial and defence market, where it hopes to increase its market share in the ensuing years.
4,000 people are currently employed by the Boeing India Engineering & Technology Centre (BIETC), with 3,000 of them being engineers. In the upcoming months, as the company continues to improve, this number is expected to rise by 25%. The new campus’s opening date is not yet set in stone.
“The enormous talent in this place contributes to both our commercial and defence sectors, not only in support positions but also in product design and development.”
Boeing Research & Technology’s Vice President and General Manager, Todd Citron, stated
He emphasised the present and potential technologies for achieving its objective of sustainable flying, saying,
“Today, 50% SAF blending is compatible with our aircraft. We anticipate that all aeroplanes will be SAF compatible by 2030. The availability of SAF, however, should be the main point of attention. Additionally, we are developing hydrogen as a fuel. Truss-braced wings, which are extremely thin wings for significantly higher aerodynamic efficiency, are one of the cutting-edge technologies we are pursuing.”
Both Boeing and Airbus are fighting for the public’s and the government’s attention as they compete in the Indian market. Air India (AI), which just underwent privatisation, is currently in negotiations with both aircraft manufacturers for a “historic” aircraft order that might result in the addition of new aircraft types to the fleet for the first time in almost two decades. Although AI is the operator of both aircraft, Boeing will be hoping that the 737 MAX is recognised as a serious threat to the A320’s expanding market share.
In recent months, Boeing has made progress, obtaining a significant order for the 737 from startup Akasa Air. Boeing now has a consistent flow of orders from India as SpiceJet and Akasa expand their fleets in the upcoming years. Another significant opportunity is the upcoming order from Air India, particularly if the airline chooses the 777X for its upcoming widebody operations.
Also read:
Air India Is In Talks To Purchase Aircraft From Airbus And Boeing: CEO | Exclusive
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