The National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at Wichita State University hosted
an industry day for various partners on military programs today.
Attendees had the opportunity to view the B1-B, part of a unique repair program that
began in late 2023. NIAR engineers, technicians and applied learning students were
on-site to discuss the program’s progress and criticality to the DoD.
Hosted at Air Capital Flight Line, the event was aimed at highlighting how the efforts
of academic, industry and civic partners advance the overall success of NIAR and Wichita
State’s division of Industry and Defense programs. The program has already generated
nearly $12 million in contracts to local vendors.
“The effects of NIAR’s Department of Defense contracts can be seen across the city,
state and region,” said Melinda Laubach-Hock, Director of NIAR Sustainment. “Our partnerships
with the local supplier base are critical to the success of these programs, which,
in turn, are vital to sustainment of various military fleets and, ultimately, readiness
of the warfighter. Our goal today was to demonstrate that to our partners and thank
them for efforts.”
Due to contract requirements, the event was limited to a small group of local suppliers,
representatives of the U.S. Air Force and the office of U.S. Senator Jerry Moran.
About NIAR The National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University provides
research, design, testing, certification and training to the aviation, defense, manufacturing,
and related industries. NIAR has a $400 million annual budget, a staff of 1,600 and
nearly two million square feet of laboratory and office space in six locations across
the city of Wichita, the Air Capital of the World. Core competencies include Industrial
Modernization of Materials and Manufacturing; Digital Transformation and Sustainment
Modernization; Test and Evaluation; Engineering, Certification, Modification and Prototyping;
System Automation and Digital Manufacturing. NIAR is a department within the division
of Industry and Defense Programs at Wichita State. wichita.edu/niar
