Federal funding was announced Tuesday by U.S Sen. Jerry Moran, which will support a $28 million facility to be constructed at the Kansas State Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus.
In addition, the university is also entering a $5.5 million partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association.
“I’m here to announce that there are grants that have been approved totaling $33,500,000,” Sen. Jerry Moran told a gathering in Salina. “One is the construction. Money to construct the Aerospace Innovation and Training Hub here at K-State Salina, and the money for operations, research and facilities to fund a full-motion simulator.”
The funding will allow K-State Salina to expand its scope to include emerging aerospace technologies in advanced air mobility and commercial space applications. K-State Salina Dean and CEO Alysia Starkey details how the funding is supporting the university’s mission to train the next generation of pilots, mechanics and engineers.
“This round of funding will be used to construct the Aerospace Innovation and Training Hub, a state of the art facility that co-locates our un-crewed aircraft systems, aviation maintenance and composites programs. These programs are imperative to the future of aviation and for the evolution of advanced air mobility in the state,” she said.
K-State President Richard Linton says they are training the next generation and ensuring the state’s workforce needs are met with top talent and emerging industry leaders.
“The facilities, research and educational offerings that will be realized from this funding, will enable Kansas State University to be a critical partner in advancing technologies that will fuel the aerospace industry,” he said.
The Salina campus will double its current space for maintenance training and Sen. Moran says the partnership with NOAA will train pilots to hunt hurricanes.
More on Tuesday’s announcement can be found here.
