What's Happening?
Lockheed Martin, a prominent American defense company, has broadened its industrial collaboration offer to the Philippines as part of its F-16 Block 70 proposal for the country's Multi Role Fighter program. This expanded package includes a partnership with Southern Methodist University (SMU) aimed at supporting digital innovation, intellectual property creation, and workforce development in collaboration with Philippine universities and industries. The initiative is designed to facilitate technology and knowledge transfer, providing funding for business incubation, government programs, and academic initiatives. Additionally, a research lab and training space will be established to assist Filipino professionals in developing solutions and prototypes applicable across various sectors. Jess Koloini, responsible for business development at Lockheed Martin F-16, emphasized the commitment to investing in new capabilities and intellectual properties in collaboration with leading universities and companies in the Philippines.
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Why It's Important?
This collaboration is significant as it aligns with the Philippines' Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) and aims to create a lasting impact on the Filipino workforce, thereby driving economic growth and prosperity. By leveraging SMU's Center for Digital and Human-Augmented Manufacturing and Deason Innovation Gym, the partnership seeks to enhance the Philippines' research capacity in areas such as digital modeling, simulations, virtual and augmented reality, robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence. The initiative provides access to advanced innovation tools, funding for business and academic projects, and joint efforts with local universities and companies to build new capabilities. Dr. Ben Zoghi, SMU associate dean for advanced studies and industry partnerships, highlighted the potential of these projects to significantly boost the Philippines' academia and industry, enabling them to leverage digital innovation technologies for economic growth and global industrial competitiveness.
What's Next?
The collaboration is expected to foster the development of new capabilities and intellectual properties, supporting the Philippines' defense and economic goals. The establishment of a research lab and training space will facilitate the creation of solutions and prototypes by Filipino professionals, potentially leading to advancements in various sectors. The partnership with SMU will continue to strengthen the Philippines' research capacity, providing opportunities for technology and knowledge transfer. As the F-16 Block 70 proposal progresses, further developments in the partnership may emerge, potentially influencing the country's defense strategy and economic landscape.
