The University of Texas at Austin and Lockheed Martin, a global aerospace and security company, today announced a collaborative research agreement to enhance engineering research collaboration and support cutting-edge university-led projects.
The agreement represents a new chapter in Lockheed Martin’s longstanding partnership with the university. It will increase engagement with both the Cockrell School of Engineering and the College of Natural Sciences. Under the guidelines of the master research agreement, UT Austin can develop solutions to challenges posed by the industry without the need to renegotiate research parameters.
Initial research includes four projects in cybersecurity, materials sciences, wireless communications and autonomous flight that will be conducted by various faculty. Several from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering will conduct a cybersecurity research project. While others from Electrical and Computer Engineering will pursue research in wireless communications. Additionally, Lockheed Martin selected a professor from the Department of Mechanical Engineering for a material sciences project and another faculty member in the Department of Computer Science in the College of Natural Sciences for an autonomous flight project.
“Lockheed Martin is working to solve generation-after-next challenges, and transformational research and development programs are critical for success in that process,” said Dr. Robie Samanta Roy, vice president of Technology Strategy and Innovation, Lockheed Martin. “With UT Austin’s breadth of talent, real-world relevance of its research, and collaborative environment, we are confident that together we will uncover world-class solutions to build a better tomorrow.”
For more than four decades, Lockheed Martin has funded scholarships, student organizations and faculty awards at the university, including various student programs and initiatives in the Cockrell School. This year, the company’s aeronautics group will also support a senior design project in electrical and computer engineering.
“Industry-university partnerships are critical to addressing many of the real-world challenges that impact society,” said Sharon L. Wood, dean of the Cockrell School. “This partnership with Lockheed Martin is very important as we continue to find solutions to those challenges, and we look forward to working together for many years.”
Officials from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company spent more than a year working with faculty and students to identify promising research projects.
“We worked closely with Texas Engineering faculty to propose the projects that were ultimately funded, and will continue this collaboration under our new agreement,” said Michael Cawood, vice president of Program Management for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company and executive champion for the company’s relationship with UT Austin. “These projects provide meaningful science that could help us produce cutting-edge technology; and we are thrilled with the level of passion and dedication UT Austin researchers bring to the table.”
