Boeing has opened its research and technology centre in South Carolina, which is devoted to current and next-generation technology development.

Boeing leaders joined local dignitaries and employees for a ribbon cutting and tours of the 104,000-square-foot Boeing Research & Technology-South Carolina centre, which leads the company’s research and development efforts in areas of advanced manufacturing with a focus on composite fuselage and propulsion systems production.

The centre broke ground in early 2014.

“This new research centre will help us better meet the needs of our customers by enhancing our ability to provide effective, relevant technology in today’s competitive marketplace as we enter our second century of business,” said John Tracy, Boeing chief technology officer and senior vice president of Engineering, Operations & Technology.

The state-of-the-art centre includes lab spaces where scientists and engineers research and develop technologies in advanced production systems; non-destructive evaluation and inspection; production analytics and advanced test systems; structural repair technologies; electromagnetic effects; chemical technology; and composite fabrication and materials.

The centre also includes two autoclaves, which are used to cure parts made from composite materials; a paint booth with automation capabilities; and a clean room to combine composite layers together.

“The people and facilities we’re introducing today will help us apply new technology and solutions to our products across the entire company faster and more efficiently than ever before,” said Lane Ballard, leader of the Boeing Research & Technology-South Carolina centre.

BR&T is the company’s advanced research and development organisation, providing technologies that enable the development of future aerospace solutions while improving the cycle time, cost, quality and performance of existing Boeing products and services.

BR&T-South Carolina joins the company’s ten other research centres around the world in Australia, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Russia and the United States, including Alabama, California, Missouri, South Carolina and Washington.