U.S. Army Awards $100M to Wichita State University

• The university's National Institute for Aviation Research will focus on U.S. Army ground vehicle modernization.
• The U.S. Air Force awarded $100 million for B-1 digital engineering last year.
• The Modernization of Integrated Technology for Ground Systems program will develop tools, methodologies, and qualification framework for ground vehicles.

The National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at Wichita State University (WSU) is now the home base of the country's effort to modernize the U.S. Army's ground transportation fleet.

The U.S. Army awarded WSU a five-year, $100 million contract this month. The Modernization of Integrated Technology for Ground Systems program will develop tools, methodologies, and qualification framework for ground vehicle manufacturing processes and materials.

"Through this program, the U.S. Army (Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Center) will capitalize on multiple areas of expertise at Wichita State, including advanced materials development and qualification expertise," said John Tomblin, WSU senior vice president for industry and defense programs.

"It is a unique opportunity for the Wichita manufacturing industry and WSU students to connect with a new division of the U.S. Army."

According to WSU, the award also comes with potential collaboration with other universities like Auburn University in Alabama, which is focusing on materials, parts, and process qualification.

This isn't WSU's first award from the U.S. armed forces. According to WSU, the U.S. Air Force awarded the university $100 million for the B-1's digital engineering last year.

The program with the U.S. Army has four primary goals:

• Develop ground vehicle parts.
• Develop material and process control.
• Rapidly qualify materials and components.
• Implement an integrated digital environment for digital twin development and sustainment. A digital twin is an identical replica of a real-world object.

"Wichita State and NIAR continue to support critical missions for our U.S military, and this contract with the Army is a testament to the great work being done at WSU," said U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas, where WSU is located.

"This new contract will help make certain our service members have the resources necessary to fight and win our nation's wars and protect our national security. I look forward to supporting future opportunities between WSU and the Army."