Boeing opens intel collaboration center

ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Boeing has opened an intelligence collaboration and data analysis center for developing concepts to counter global threats to U.S. security.

The center, in Northern Virginia, will allow Boeing's Intelligence Community customers, industry partners and the scientific and academic communities to brainstorm, test and field technologies designed to help prevent terrorist attacks.

"The concepts developed in this center will allow our customers and partners to apply critical technology to their missions," said Roger Krone, president of Boeing Network & Space Systems. "The investments Boeing is making in the center will provide a low-cost conduit for pushing technical solutions into the field with reduced risk and better results."

Boeing's said its initial investment in the center is $1.5 million.

The investment will support sharing and information transfer among disparate organizations while protecting the integrity of the original data, it said.

"Boeing has been working for several years with the intelligence community to deploy proven, high-end computer systems to address data sharing," said Dewey Houck, director of the Mission Systems subdivision of Boeing Intelligence & Security Systems. "This new center provides a venue for group brainstorming and 'ideation' -- which means using ideas generated in a collaborative environment to develop solutions that can be quickly implemented to address immediate threats."