Stuart Craig publishes commentary in National Defense magazine
AME associate professor asks Congress to bolster research into hypersonic technology.
Stuart Alex Craig conducts wind-tunnel experiments in the field of boundary-layer stability and transition with an emphasis on high-speed and hypersonic flows.
Stuart "Alex" Craig, an associate professor of AME, published commentary in the National Defense magazine's July issue, where he highlighted the significance of hypersonic technology in relation to U.S. national security.
In the commentary, Craig asked Congress to bolster hypersonic technology research — noting a shortage of professionals in the aerospace and defense sector, which could lead to the U.S. falling behind in hypersonic technology advancements.
"Research universities with expertise in hypersonics are therefore vital for training engineers and technicians essential for advancing the field by equipping students with necessary skills through research support, coaching for fellowships like the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship and the Defense Department SMART Scholarship and other initiatives to grow and diversify the STEM workforce," Craig wrote.
"The United States must take immediate, comprehensive action on workforce development to meet its goal of fielding hypersonic weapon systems at scale," Craig continued. "Congress must increase its support for basic hypersonics research, and the Pentagon should re-evaluate its workforce development initiatives to ensure they are making an impact."