The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and defense technology company Lockheed Martin announced the signing of a new five-year master research agreement October 31, reinforcing a longstanding partnership that helps UT take its research capabilities from the lab to the field.
“Lockheed Martin is an important strategic partner,” said Deb Crawford, vice chancellor for research, innovation, and economic development. “We’re excited to renew our partnership to advance technological solutions to national security challenges while also preparing the aerospace workforce of the future.”
Historically UT’s work with Lockheed Martin has centered around hypersonics solutions, helping evaluate and test prototypes that will travel at eight or nine times the speed of sound. However, the research agreement extends beyond hypersonics technologies, allowing UT to support Lockheed Martin in other mission areas such as advanced materials and manufacturing, energy and power systems, and trusted artificial intelligence and machine learning—all of which align with UT’s innovation gateways and core research strengths.
“Our partnership with Lockheed Martin is not specific to any one academic unit but covers a broad spectrum of both fundamental and applied research, from engineering to agriculture,” said James Andes, director of national security research initiatives for UT.