Drones, air taxis, supersonic and hypersonic aircraft will be part of the focus of the laboratory.
FORT WORTH, Texas — Texas A&M University System already announced plans last year for several buildings on its Fort Worth campus, and has now announced it will be launching an aviation technology laboratory downtown as well.
The Center for Advanced Aviation Technologies will be aimed at researching and developing emerging aviation technologies like drones, air taxis and hypersonic and supersonic aircraft. It will be made up of two components, a test site at the university system’s Corpus Christi campus and a laboratory at its Fort Worth campus.
This comes from a provision authored by Sen. Ted Cruz in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.
“I’m grateful to see the Texas A&M System leading this initiative and cultivating the next generation of aviation leaders,” Cruz said in a statement. “When I authored the bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, I wrote the language creating the Center for Advanced Aviation Technologies with the express intention of bringing that Center to the Dallas-Fort Worth area because of the groundbreaking innovation occurring there. I’m confident this new research and testing center will help the private sector create thousands of high-paying jobs and grow the Texas economy through billions in new investments.”
Texas A&M University System Chairman Robert Albritton said the system’s researchers are eager to take on the challenge put forth by Cruz.
“The airspaces of the United States soon will look very different, and I am confident that A&M System experts will make the skies as safe as possible when the newest aviation technologies take flight,” Albritton said in a statement. “The entire Board of Regents enthusiastically look forward to this project and the difference in air safety it will make for all Americans.”
Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp said he is proud the system was selected to lead the center.
“This initiative represents a significant opportunity to harness the expertise of our member institutions and drive innovation in the aviation industry,” Sharp said in a statement. “We are committed to fostering collaboration among universities, private organizations and government entities to advance the integration of cutting-edge aviation technologies.”
Other buildings being built at the campus include a research and innovation building and a law and education building.
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