A new research and technology center has been officially opened by Boeing for collaborative development of technology in the areas of simulation and analytics.

The center is located in Huntsville, Ala., and is the hub in the Southeast United States for research partnering with academic institutions and other organizations.

"The next 100 years of innovation starts here," said Steve Swaine, leader of the Boeing Research & Technology-Alabama (BR&T-Alabama) research center. "We've brought together a team made up of the best and brightest in data analytics, advanced engineering and many other disciplines to help Boeing create, develop, produce and support the best aerospace products in the world."

The center features 80,000 square feet of laboratories and offices, including facilities equipped with autoclaves that heat-treat composite materials and machines to test the properties of metals. Its 220 engineers and staff will work on technologies in the areas of simulation and analytics, systems analysis, applied mathematics, chemicals, composite materials, metals and ceramics, propulsion, avionics systems and sensors, communication and sensing, cyber-security, materials and processes, and product standards.

BR&T's other research and development centers in the United States are located in California, Missouri, South Carolina and Washington.