Leading global defence and aerospace contractor Lockheed Martin has completed a summer internship programme in Riyadh aimed at developing technical skills among Saudi university students in areas including artificial intelligence, robotics and advanced manufacturing.

The programme brought together students from several Saudi universities and focused on practical projects linked to the aerospace and manufacturing sectors, as part of efforts to develop local technical capabilities in line with the objectives of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.

The programme included two main projects. One, titled "Factory of the Future: Analysis to Define Factory for Unmanned Aircraft," examined the use of automation, robotics and artificial intelligence to improve manufacturing processes for unmanned aircraft.

The second focused on using AI to extract data from log cards for life-limited rotorcraft components, with the aim of improving data management and the tracking and maintenance of critical parts.

Joseph Rank, the Vice President and CEO for Saudi Arabia and Africa, said developing human capital and supporting industrial capabilities were central to the company's strategy.

"By empowering the next generation of Saudi industry leaders, we are shaping a more resilient and collaborative defense sector," remarked Rank.

Lockheed Martin's research and development manager in Saudi Arabia, Amr Alasaad, said the programme was designed to give students practical experience alongside their academic studies.

The interns received mentoring from experts across Lockheed Martin's global network and worked on projects related to advanced manufacturing and technology in Saudi Arabia, he stated.

Some participants have also joined Lockheed Martin's supply chain team, gaining experience in technical and operational functions.

The internship programme is part of Lockheed Martin's wider engagement in Saudi Arabia, where the company has maintained a partnership with the Kingdom for more than six decades, he added.-TradeArabia News Service