A high-flying partnership with General Atomics is propelling K-State Salina students toward cutting-edge careers in uncrewed aircraft.
Innovators have been testing the limits of pilotless flight since 1783 when the Montgolfier brothers launched a hot air balloon without passengers, marking the earliest example of an uncrewed aircraft.
At K-State Salina, the uncrewed aircraft initiative is blasting off because of its decade-long partnership with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI).
How did the collaboration begin?
K-State Salina approached GA-ASI’s Operations Site Manager for Army Missions Samuel Kleinbeck to ask how the college could improve its uncrewed aircraft curriculum. His simple suggestion was “hire me.”
After Kleinbeck began teaching at K-State Salina, he set up a meeting between K-State officials and GA-ASI president David R. Alexander. Soon after, an official partnership was established.
“K-State is home to a new generation of engineers looking to push the boundaries of uncrewed aircraft — so we want to support them,” said Sam Richardson, GA-ASI vice president of sustainment.
Substantial support
To encourage continued innovation at K-State, GA-ASI generously donated money, resources and unlimited aeronautical expertise. The first contribution was funding K-State Salina’s Flight Path to the Future student lounge.
“We invested in Flight Path to the Future because of what it stood for,” Kleinbeck said. “We saw it as a place where students could meet, collaborate and inspire each other forward.”
The company donated two heavy fuel engines, a type of equipment K-State students did not previously have access to. GA-ASI’s Gray Eagle uncrewed aircraft system — frequently used by the U.S. Army — requires the same model gifted to K-State.
Several GA-ASI employees authored sections of a best-selling textbook used at K-State, Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Not only that; they also helped develop the curriculum for a master’s degree in aeronautics and airworthiness, making K-State the only institution to offer that program.
General Atomics’ generosity continued when they funded dozens of K-State senior projects and donated 6,000 pounds of raw material for the mechanical engineering technology and composites programs.
Finally, marking the largest corporate gift in K-State Salina history, General Atomics donated $10 million to build the aerospace innovation ramp.
“We have been working with K-State Salina for a number of years and recognized that the time was right to invest in their aerospace and technology,” said CEO Linden Blue. “Their campus has a laser-focused vision to be a leader in aerospace and technology, and we were ready to support them.”
Finishing touch
The company’s most recent contribution to the partnership hits close to home for K-State. They opened an office in downtown Salina.
“This new office is just another example of GA-ASI’s commitment to K-State, Salina, Kansas and to aerospace education in the United States,” said Craig Bronson, GA-ASI’s Salina site manager. “This office is a symbol of GA-ASI’s long-term commitment to supporting aerospace programs for students and ensuring that the right educational opportunities are in place to provide everyone with topflight talent.”
By Kate Ellwood
Curated from The College with Its Own Predator® Uncrewed Aircraft