A new research and technology center that will serve as a regional hub for collaborative development efforts has been opened by Boeing in Missouri.

The 180,000-square-foot Boeing Research & Technology-Missouri research center officially opened its doors on Tuesday at the company's main campus in St. Louis.

"We're building a deeply talented workforce here that will make important contributions to future products," said Nancy Pendleton, leader of the BR&T-Missouri research center. "The new BR&T-Missouri research center allows access to and development of cutting-edge technologies across a broad spectrum of research areas, which will help launch the next hundred years of innovation."

The center features a Non-Destructive Test Lab, the Human Systems Integration Center, a Polymer Synthesis Lab, and the soon-to-be-built Collaborative Autonomous Systems Lab.

Boeing says the center — with more than 700 engineers, technicians and staff — will develop a variety of technologies, including digital aviation and support technologies, rate-independent production and next generation materials in collaboration with academic institutions and research partners.

Boeing operates 10 other such centers around the world, including four in the United States.

Rolls-Royce supplying engine improvement kits to USAF
Indianapolis (UPI) Oct 21, 2015 –

Rolls-Royce will begin supplying the U.S. Air Force with kits in December to improve the engines of C-130 transport aircraft.

The T56 Series 3.5 engine upgrade kits, being supplied under a $36 million contract, enable T56 engines to operate at much lower temperatures, resulting in a 22 percent extension to the life of engine parts and improved reliability.

The kits have already been installed on WP-3D aircraft of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and have resulted in more than a 12 percent reduction in fuel costs, Rolls-Royce said.

"The T56 Series 3.5 technology has proven itself in challenging hurricane flight operations on NOAA aircraft and we are excited to launch the upgrades into the US Air Force C-130 fleet so they can achieve the same benefits," said Phil Burkholder, the president of Rolls-Royce Defense Aerospace North America.

"The improved fuel economy and enhanced performance demonstrate the value from the Series 3.5 upgrade — operators will benefit from lower operating costs and improved reliability."

Rolls-Royce said the kits can be added to the Air Force and Air National Guard planes during regular overhauls and require no changes to the aircraft or its controls.