Georgia Launches Aerospace Innovation Center

To expand on the state's Centers of Innovation strategy, Gov. Sonny Perdue announced in November the creation of the Middle Georgia Aerospace Innovation Center (MAIC). The center is comprised of numerous partners, including the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade & Tourism's Office of Science and Technology, the University System of Georgia, private institutions and companies, and the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center (ALC).

Researchers from Georgia Tech, Mercer University and Macon State College will work directly with the ALC and industry partners to develop new technologies to transform lifecycle support for aircraft. All technologies developed in MAIC will be evaluated and potentially implemented by its partner organizations. These technologies eventually will be commercialized and licensed by the state Board of Regents to corporate partners including Boeing and Lockheed-Martin.

As aircraft become more complex and expensive, the challenge of extending their life cycle grows. The combined talents of academic, military and commercial organizations in Middle Georgia will develop solutions for these challenges that will benefit all aircraft, according to Dr. Dan Schrage, professor at the Georgia Tech School of Aerospace Engineering and MAIC executive director.

Georgia's Centers of Innovation strategy was launched earlier this year to help build the state's science and technology infrastructure. The strategy focuses on the development of centers of excellence in aerospace, biosciences, digital media, logistics, medical technology and transaction processing. In August 2003, state leaders announced the first of these centers, the Savannah Maritime Logistics Innovation Center (SMLIC), a partnership between the Georgia Ports Authority and the University System of Georgia. SMLIC is designed to address maritime logistics and security issues.

A benchmark study and needs assessment for the MAIC will be conducted during the next 60 days to define the center's scope of work.