Data Patterns in talks with Boeing, Lockheed

Defence electronics company Data Patterns is in talks with heavyweight defence contractors Lockheed and Boeing to frame memoranda of understanding for joint R&D in various defence offsets.

Projects on the company's agenda include the prestigious Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) program commissioned by the Union Ministry of Defence.

Wing Commander Soundararajan, vice-president "� marketing, with Chennai-based Data Patterns, said the company is expecting to finalise MoUs for joint R&D activity by January next year with the avionics research arms of Lockheed and Boeing.

The joint development activity with both companies will cover aerospace applications, ground support systems, automatic test equipment (ATE) and data acquisition solutions.

To service the MMRCA offset, Chennai-based Data Patterns signed a MoU with Raytheon subsidiary, Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, on November 12.

"The MMRCA program calls for 50 per cent offsets by the defence ministry. These offsets are being largely handled by Raytheon. Under the MoU, both companies will have to explain which parts of the work will be done out of India," Soundararajan said.

While the quantum of investments involved in taking the MoU with Raytheon forward has not be finalised, the first proposal on work apportioning will have to be submitted by March next year. The offset is expected to be awarded to Raytheon by June next year.

Preparation of an RFP detailing the pre-conditions of the MoU and the quantum of work to be done out of Data Pattern's India operations is currently underway, Soundararajan said.

Soundararajan said the company would invest Rs 40 crore to set up a manufacturing and design facility at the Sirusseri IT Park in Chennai to cater to the emerging needs of this space. A good part of the Raytheon contract is expected to be serviced out of the Sirusseri facility, which will be ready for operations within the next four months.

The facility, spread over six acres of land, will house a majority of the 410 people currently on Data Patterns' employee rolls.

At least 250 of the company's employees are core R&D specialists, Rs 45-crore Data Patterns is also working on forging R&D tie-ups with other global players for different defence offset programs, Soundararajan said, without disclosing company identities or program details.

Data Patterns, started in 1985 on SIDBI funding, has worked towards positioning itself strongly amidst a cluster of leading Indian R&D houses like Wipro, Bharat Electronics, TCS and L&T as it pitches for a share of the Indian defence offsets program.

Its major customers include the Departments of Defence and Space, DRDO's Defence Research Labs and enterprises focused on the defence sector.

Engineering design and services companies are now fully alert to the growing prospects for joint development of onboard electronics and military platforms for land, sea, air, underwater and space applications, ground support systems and ATE development with global defence players.