Boeing opens Farnborough HiLACC collaboration centre to support advanced aircraft innovation
May 7, 2025
Boeing has opened its High-Lift Aerodynamics Collaboration Centre (HiLACC) in Farnborough, UK, to provide a dedicated research space for Boeing, industry and academic partners to collaborate, test and analyse future aircraft concepts. The facility will support testing and development for a range of programmes for Boeing’s commercial aeroplanes and derivative aircraft.
“The future of aerospace is made possible, in part, by facilities like HiLACC,” said Maria Laine, president of the Boeing UK, Ireland and Nordic region. “The UK continues to play a pivotal role in the development of aerospace innovations, and we are excited to see how the new technology developed here will support the evolving needs of our customers.”
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With around 930 m2 of space across three floors, HiLACC will act as a dedicated space for Boeing partners to collaborate on aerodynamic testing and aerodynamics research at the nearby Farnborough wind tunnel. The five metre QinetiQ wind tunnel, located next to HiLACC, is one of only three large, low-speed pressurised wind tunnels in the world and the only one in the UK. It has supported the testing and design for Boeing aeroplanes, including the 787, 777, 747 and the 737 MAX.
The HiLACC facility is expected to enable Boeing and its collaborators to reduce the time needed to refine an aircraft’s design and test a model of this design in the nearby wind tunnel. High-lift, low-speed wind tunnel testing is important to aircraft development because it assesses how design changes affect take-off and landing performance. Aerodynamic improvements that increase an aircraft’s fuel efficiency must perform well at take-off and landing, as well as at cruise levels.
“As we look to the future, we know our customers will continue to count on us to deliver breakthrough products that meet the highest levels of safety, quality and performance,” said Jeff Hogan, chief engineer, Airplane Characteristics, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “HiLACC supports the work we’ll do today and tomorrow to develop our next generation of aerospace innovations.”
“I am delighted to open the High-Lift Aerodynamics Collaboration Centre today. The centre, which supports the only high-tech wind tunnel of its type in the UK, will bring together experts from around the globe to test and improve designs of aircraft that could deliver significant environmental value through improved fuel efficiency and reduced noise emissions,” stated Alex Baker, Aldershot and Farnborough MP, at the centre’s unveiling. “This is a significant investment from Boeing and a massive vote of confidence in the future of the aerospace and defence industries in this area. It will ensure that Farnborough continues to be at the forefront of aviation research and development, providing hundreds of well-paid jobs and opportunities for local residents.”
Since 2015, Boeing has invested more than £110 million in the UK, working closely with government, industry and academia to innovate and drive forward technologies that support the future of both the UK and the global aerospace industry.
