1. Cranfield University
and Boeing create IVHM
Centre of Excellence
The East of England offers: An exclusive interview with
G
G
A dynamic aerospace cluster;
Access to leading-edge, globally
Dr Paul Marshall Cranfield University
valued research;
G A strong skills base and pool of
experienced staff;
G Potential for strong market growth;
Cranfield University’s international prominence in the world of
G Advanced infrastructure, with well aerospace and aviation as a centre of excellence for leading-edge
established supply chain; research attracts global partnerships, the latest resulting in the
G A lower-cost base for European
operations within easy reach of the collaboration with Boeing.
Continent, London and rest of the UK.
East of England International played a major role in brokering
this important relationship between Boeing and Cranfield, that
has led to the creation of an Integrated Vehicle Health
Management (IVHM) Centre of Excellence on the University site.
Dr Paul Marshall, responsible for the University’s Corporate
Partnerships Business Development, works to establish strategic
links with both the private and public sector. In an exclusive
interview he touches on the significance of IVHM and other
potential aerospace developments in the East of England.
Business support funded by the
East of England Development Agency
East of England International delivers UK Trade & Investment services to regional
businesses seeking to trade internationally. We also provide free and confidential advice
to overseas-owned companies looking to establish a presence or expand in the UK.

2. Cranfield University and Boeing
create IVHM Centre of Excellence
An exclusive interview with
Dr Paul Marshall University of Cranfield
“IVHM enables the health of a vehicle to be monitored and Cranfield’s work in the aerospace industry benefits from a
assessed” explains Paul Marshall. multi-disciplinary approach, bringing together aeronautical
engineering, materials and manufacturing, with expertise in
“Sensors distributed throughout the vehicle collect data on the aviation business processes and practices. It plays a key part in
condition of components and subsystems, while on-board the aerospace business sector with close commercial
processors assess their health and predict possible deterioration partnerships with Airbus, BAE Systems, Boeing and Rolls-
and future life. This data and resulting information can be used Royce among others. The aerospace and aviation activities are
to improve maintenance, extend the life of both the whole underpinned by on-site advanced facilities, tools and expertise –
vehicle and individual components, improve vehicle readiness from flying laboratories and flight deck simulators to industrial-
and availability and reduce operating costs and optimise supply scale gas turbine engine test facilities used for performance
chain logistics. Use of IVHM can provide long-term cost benefits and diagnostic studies.
and advantages over traditional operational models.
In addition to the IVHM Centre of Excellence, other recent
developments include the design and build of a sub-scaled
“EEI demonstrator of a Blended Wing Body (BWB) transport aircraft
plays an invaluable role in introducing us to
designed and built by Cranfield Aerospace Ltd and the design of
major players outside the region who might be an environmentally-benign airliner.
encouraged to invest. Recently EEI organised a
Good communication links are also an advantage to Cranfield,
visit here from Lockheed Martin, based in the located close to major road networks which provide good
US, so they could see at first hand the exciting, access between Bedford, Milton Keynes and London. Alternative
world changing research being carried out. airports – London Luton and London Stansted – are within a
short drive.
Making the introductions in this way is
important for Cranfield, as we are able to meet
potential investors on our home ground and we KEY FACTS
hope it is also useful for EEI to showcase our
Cranfield University began in 1946 as the Cranfield College
capability, reinforcing the region’s strengths. of Aeronautics, an exclusively postgraduate institution
“to develop both civil and military aviation”.
“The IVHM project is a perfect example of collaboration between
Today, Cranfield is:
the private and public sectors. As a launch core partner, Boeing
has made an investment towards establishing the Centre and G An internationally renowned specialist institution in Science,
its Phantom Works advanced research and development unit Engineering and Management; Cranfield produces almost
will be actively involved. Cranfield is being assisted by EEDA to 10% of the UK Engineering postgraduates – more than any
establish an IVHM Centre of Excellence on the University other UK university.
Technology Park, next to the main campus.” G Rated in the top five European Executive Business Schools
(Financial Times)
The University was first established in 1946 as an aeronautical G The top UK university for Graduate employment.
college, located next to the airport which operates today as a (97.1%, source: HESA)
facility for training, flight schools and business jet traffic. Used G One of the top five research-intensive universities in
by visitors to Milton Keynes, the Airport has the potential for the world.
growth which would help the regional proposition. G The only UK University with its own executive airport.
G Ranked second in the world for its international student
“We are also looking to develop an Air Park to provide business community, with students from 105 countries.
premises with direct access to the Airport” adds Paul Marshall.
For expert help contact:
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08/43 Copyright March 2009