Page 231 - Technology Roadmap Transportation

TECHNOLOGY ROADMAP: TRANSPORTATION

The possible strategies for addressing the key challenges in technology development and
manufacturing in aerospace sector are discussed below:

5.2 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

CHALLENGES Development of core aerospace design and manufacturing
& TARGETS technologies in the following areas:

• Airframe design and manufacturing
• Advanced Materials and Composites
• Manufacturing technologies
• Avionics and Flight controls
• Propulsion Systems

• Nanotechnology
• Alternate Fuels
• IT Solutions, Next generation automation products for airline,
Airports and ATM

KEY Government, NAL, HAL, DRDL, BEL, ISRO, academic institutions,
STAKEHOLDER(S) Private sector players and SMEs.

IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

• Creation of a technology development fund managed by an appropriate autonomous agency.
Establishment of an autonomous centre of excellence, drawing up the best of the minds from global
industry and academics,as a hub of a broad based network of research institutions to support this
technology development fund.
• There should be an assessment and mapping of the existing technological capabilities across different
public sector entities and identify critical gaps and areas of opportunity.
• Long term research agenda in consultation with all the stakeholders, having phased targets setting
up realistic technology development priorities for the country aligned with the global developments.
• State of the art labs, equipment and testing facilities may be commissioned for utilization on open
access basis for supporting technology initiatives in the supply chain.
• Increasing the number of fellowships for specialized studies and PhDs in the area.
• Separate long term national research programmes for developing technologies in the emerging areas
like alternate energy and nanotechnology which have wider applications may be instituted for R&D in
these areas. The research output and technologies emerging from such programmes can be adopted
for product development in aerospace domain.
• Public funding to all the research programmes under this programme. The fund be provided with
liberal budgetary support and further funding could be through minor cess on the industry. In the
longer run the fund could raise resources through technology spinoffs.
• The technology development programmes must be split into work packages with clear deliverables
and timelines.Global collaborations for technology development must be considered under this
programme particularly in the areas with state of the art barrier like propulsion systems, avionics, and
flight controls etc. as the industry and its supply chain would become truly globalized.
• Licensing some of the core technologies from global OEMs for further development capabilities.
• Effective use of offsets has the potential for transformation of technological capabilities of the industry
through technology transfer, joint development.
• Liberal FDI policies in cases where advanced technologies are being brought by the foreign partner.
Suitable restrictions can be imposed on award of offset contract to such Joint Ventures.
• The R&D institutions may be supported to undertake research projects from the global initiatives for
development of next generation technologies.

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