India's first public-private aerospace research consortium formed

Boeing, IISc, Wipro and HCL enters into an agreement


Boeing has entered into an agreement with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and two leading Indian information technology companies to develop wireless and other network technologies for aerospace-related applications.

The agreement, signed by representatives from Boeing, IISc's Society for Innovation and Development, Wipro Technologies and HCL Technologies, forms the Aerospace Network Research Consortium (ANRC).

Led by Boeing, the ANRC is India's first public-private aerospace research consortium.

"We have a great need for advanced affordable aerospace network R&D," said Naveed Hussain, Engineering and Technology vice president for Boeing in India. "It is part of Boeing's strategy to leverage top research capabilities anywhere in the world and we look forward to working with our Indian partners to benefit from their tremendous capabilities and talents in this area."

"We are pleased to be part of this consortium," said Professor Veni Madhavan, chief executive of IISc's Society for Innovation and Development. "This collaborative approach will help permit research at IISc to be utilized for appropriate and interesting applications in the aerospace industry."

Initially established as a four-year collaborative effort, the agreement can be extended based on mutual interests. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Researchers from Boeing Phantom Works, the company's advanced R&D unit, and Commercial Airplanes will represent Boeing.