The Camclone T21 UAV developed by UAV Vision will be used by CSIRO for the Smart Skies project. Potential uses include inspecting power lines, cooling towers and bridges, or monitoring crops.

Boeing’s Phantom Works arrives in Australia

Reference: 08/40

CSIRO welcomes Boeing’s announcement today that a branch of its advanced research and development organisation, Phantom Works, which specialises in aerospace solutions, will be established in Australia.

• 11 March 2008

Speaking at the launch of Phantom Works in Australia, CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Geoff Garrett said the leadership and investment in Phantom Works here will be beneficial to many research organisations, suppliers to Boeing and other businesses within the Australian innovation system.

“From a global perspective it is imperative that Australia stay at the forefront of scientific and industrial research,” Dr Garrett said.

“To maintain and grow our position, we welcome innovative advanced technology companies such as Boeing.”

Boeing and CSIRO’s strategic research partnership dates back 18 years. It includes research in advanced materials and structures, information and communication technologies and intelligent vehicle health monitoring.
CSIRO specialist research in this area includes:

• a self-contained, hand-held instrument known as baNDIcoot™  for non-destructive inspection of defects in lightweight composite materials
• dynamic information management technologies for enhanced knowledge in network-centric operations
• an intelligent system that detects, diagnoses and predicts the extent of corrosion damage in metallic aircraft structures 
• super strong light weight composite materials that are fire resistant
• new coating technologies to provide aircraft with durable, decorative paintwork. 
  “From a global perspective it is imperative that Australia stay at the forefront of scientific and industrial research,”

  Dr Garrett said.

“Through our partnership, CSIRO has played a significant role in demonstrating Australia’s research capability,” Dr Garrett said.

“This has provided Boeing with confidence to invest further in Australia through the establishment of Phantom Works here.”

Dr Garrett said there were many benefits to Australia and CSIRO from the Boeing partnership.

“Our partnership with Boeing enables us to undertake research projects of mutual strategic importance.”

“Our scientists also get unprecedented access to Boeing expertise and opportunities to develop breakthrough technologies,” he said.

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