Our mission is to strengthen university research capabilities; provide applied learning
opportunities for students; and support the aviation and manufacturing industries
— while driving innovation and prosperity for the community, region and state.
Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) and Orizon
Aerostructures today announced a strategic alliance aimed at accelerating aerospace
and defense manufacturing through integrated engineering, research and production
capabilities.
The collaboration combines Orizon’s award-winning advanced manufacturing capabilities
with NIAR’s world-class expertise in engineering, research, testing, certification
and digital transformation. Together, the organizations will support customers in
accelerating product development, industrialization, production ramp-up and supply
chain readiness.
As demand continues to grow across commercial aerospace, defense and space sectors,
the partnership is focused on key industry challenges such as workforce development,
production scalability, process optimization, qualification timelines and manufacturing
innovation.
“By combining NIAR’s engineering and research capabilities with Orizon’s manufacturing
expertise, we enable our customers to move from concept to production faster and with
greater confidence,” said Charlie Newell, CEO of Orizon Aerostructures.
The partnership will enable initiatives to improve production readiness, reduce lead
times, increase manufacturing throughput and strengthen the nation’s aerospace and
defense industrial base.
“Kansas’ role as the Air Capital of the World depends on the strength and resilience
of its supplier ecosystem,” said John Tomblin, Wichita State executive vice president
for Research and Industry and Defense Programs and NIAR executive director. “This
partnership strategically aligns NIAR’s research and engineering expertise with Orizon’s
advanced manufacturing capabilities to strengthen that ecosystem, accelerate innovation
and ensure the U.S. remains at the forefront of global aerospace and defense production.”
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to innovation, operational excellence
and advancing the global competitiveness of the U.S. aerospace and defense sector.
“This partnership between NIAR and Orizon Aerostructures strengthens Kansas’ role
as the Air Capital of the World and reinforces our state’s global leadership in aerospace
and defense,” said U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran. “By bringing together world-class research,
engineering expertise and advanced manufacturing capabilities, this collaboration
will create new opportunities for our skilled workforce and bolster the role Kansans
play in aerospace and defense innovation and production.”
About Wichita State University
Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling
more than 25,000 students between its main campus and the WSU Campus of Applied Sciences
and Technology (WSU Tech), including students from every state in the U.S. and more
than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student-centered
and innovation-driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in
the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM),
Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of
applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.
The National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering
R&D, No. 2 for industry- and defense-funded engineering R&D and No. 9 overall for
engineering R&D.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one
of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing
over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
