ASU to launch Aerospace, Defense Research Collaboratory

Arizona State University will host a launch ceremony Feb. 11 for the recently announced Aerospace and Defense Research Collaboratory (ADRC) and follow it with panel discussions about expanding the aerospace industry to be an even greater economic driver for Arizona, as well as the government’s role in investing in high tech industry growth.

The ADRC, funded under the Aerospace and Defense Initiative from Science Foundation Arizona, is an ASU-led state-wide initiative to build broad partnerships between higher education and industry.

Under the direction of Mitzi Montoya and Werner Dahm, the ADRC will work to create a competitive advantage for the aerospace and defense sector in Arizona. Together, the coalition of academic and industry partners will further develop and strengthen technologies used in aerospace and military applications.

“The Aerospace and Defense sector represents $18 billion in value creation for the Arizona economy,” said Montoya, executive dean of the ASU College of Technology and Innovation and chair of the Department of Technological Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management. “The goal of the ADRC is to connect key resources in the state and build partnerships that advance the Arizona A&D sector.”

“As part of ASU’s plans for the Security and Defense Systems Initiative, the ADRC and Science Foundation Arizona’s funding are a great opportunity for new collaborations between universities and companies to advance aerospace and defense technologies; this will be an important first step in expanding that industry in Arizona,” said Dahm, director of ASU’s new Security and Defense Systems Initiative and former chief scientist for the U.S. Air Force.

Two interactive panel discussions will follow the launch ceremony in which leaders of the aerospace and defense industry and Arizona universities will discuss two critical questions:

• Can the aerospace and defense industry jump start the Arizona economy?

• What is the role of government in fostering high tech industry growth?

The launch will take place Feb. 11 at ASU Polytechnic Campus, Student Union, Cooley Ballroom. For information, call Anshuman Razdan, program director, at (480) 727-1672, send an email adrc@asu.edu or visit http://adrc.asu.edu.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Christine Lambrakis, Lambrakis@asu.edu
(480) 727-1173 direct line / (602) 316-5616 cell