The CSIRO today welcomed Boeing's plans to set up a branch of its advanced research and development organisation, Phantom Works, in Australia.

Phantom Works specialises in aerospace solutions and CSIRO chief executive, Dr Geoff Garrett said the announcement will be beneficial to many research organisations, suppliers to Boeing and other businesses within the Australian innovation system.

"From a global perspective it is imperative that Australia stay at the forefront of scientific and industrial research," he said.

"To maintain and grow our position, we welcome innovative advanced technology companies such as Boeing."

Boeing and CSIRO's strategic research partnership dates back 18 years. It includes research in advanced materials and structures, information and communication technologies, and intelligent vehicle health monitoring.

CSIRO specialist research in this area includes: a self-contained, hand-held instrument known as baNDIcoot(tm) for non-destructive inspection of defects in lightweight composite materials and dynamic information management technologies for enhanced knowledge in network-centric operations.

Research is also underway into an intelligent system that detects, diagnoses and predicts the extent of corrosion damage in metallic aircraft structures , super strong light weight composite materials that are fire resistant and new coating technologies to provide aircraft with durable, decorative paintwork.

Garrett said the partnership with Boeing enables the CSIRO to undertake research projects of mutual strategic importance.

"Our scientists also get unprecedented access to Boeing expertise and opportunities to develop breakthrough technologies," he said.