UAE students develop AI aircraft inspection algorithm for Lockheed Martin

An artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm developed by UAE students interning at Lockheed Martin in Masdar City is being used by the aerospace company in the United States.

The students collectively spent 1,200 hours building and testing the algorithm used to detect paint and primer defects on jet airframes at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, according to a statement from Lockheed Martin.

The interns will demonstrate the solution at the 15th edition of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX), taking place in Abu Dhabi, from February 21 to 25.

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Lockheed Martin’s Centre for Innovation and Security Solutions (CISS) at Masdar City has hosted internship programmes since 2017 and has implemented various technology development programs for UAE engineers and industry professionals. The programme provides training in AI development and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) design, defence simulation exercises, business administration skills, and IT systems management.

“We are very proud that the work we did here in Abu Dhabi with our engineering interns is being used to improve the speed and accuracy of quality inspections on aircraft production lines in the United States,” said Hala Alzargani, lead engineer at Lockheed Martin’s Centre for Innovation and Security Solutions (CISS).

“We initially started working with Lockheed Martin mentors to provide training for Emirati talent interested in careers in the aerospace and defence sector. As work progressed, we were able to digitise the time-consuming process of inspecting aircraft manually and delivered a real-world solution that drives significant time and cost savings as a result.”